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

Again, the question is inaccurate in how it addresses this issue. What this government is doing is taking action in the aged-care area. Initiatives in this budget will meet the needs of current aged-care clients and prepare the system to meet the future demands of the increasing aged population. The Rudd government will invest the $900 million over four years to deliver more high-quality aged-care workers, more aged-care places, more healthcare services and greater protection for older Australians. That is what this government will do. This will include up to $280 million to the states and territories to support long-stay older patients in public hospitals. This government is taking action to support older Australians in aged care. This significant investment will support the integration of the aged-care system with local hospital networks as well. (Time expired)