Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I can only reiterate what my advice is to date, which is that the report is currently being considered and a response will be made formally in due course. Senator Xenophon of course is aware that the budget did increase funding by the Australian government, which will provide financial support for aged- and community care providers who care for older Australians, to a record level of $34 billion. That is more than $2.5 billion over previous projections for aged and community care. This government does have a significant interest to ensure that those in residential and community aged care in Australia are cared for. In 2009-10 the Australian government will provide a total of $9.9 billion to support the aged-care needs of older Australians. That is 9.9 per cent more than in 2008-09. (Time expired)