House debates

Wednesday, 20 February 2019

Statements by Members

Petrie Electorate: Aged Care

1:53 pm

Photo of Luke HowarthLuke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I'm often in schools talking to young people. One thing I like to do is talk about senior Australians and the wonderful country that they have left us. I'm thankful, as someone who was born here in Australia, for the senior Australians who have left us this great country.

Last year, I established the Petrie electorate Aged Care Excellence Awards. These awards aim to celebrate and thank the dedicated workers and amazing volunteers from aged-care facilities in my electorate of Petrie. I started the awards following the establishment of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Since I was elected in 2013 I have visited every aged-care facility in my electorate, and have been inspired by wonderful stories.

I mention this because I want those families with people in aged care to know that there are so many great aged-care providers out there. It would only be a very small minority of people who do the wrong thing. But when I asked for feedback from senior Australians they mentioned, for example, Allan Graham, who is involved in maintenance at Palm Lake Resort in Deception Bay. They said that he is a willing worker, that he will help with anything and that he helps all the workers. They said that Gabriel Oriti, who is the manager and lifestyle officer at IRT at Bracken Ridge, is the go-to person who gives exceptional care. And at Aveo at Bridgeman Downs there is Jenny Evans, the wellness nurse—she is a lovely person, always happy and friendly.

I could go on. I want to thank everyone involved in aged care. (Time expired)