Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The changes to the CHSP fees policy have been welcomed by Aged and Community Services Australia, the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association and the Community Transport Organisation to name a few. The coalition broadly adopted an essentially bipartisan approach to aged care when in opposition; we lent our support to the then Labor government and the general thrust of their legislation. It is peculiar that the current opposition now seek to criticise the government for making a careful policy decision based on widespread sector feedback. It would not be responsible to implement a policy without regard for the considered views and expertise of service providers and older Australians and, in particular, it would not be good to neglect the views of volunteers, Meals on Wheels providers and people in community transport organisations. Their views should be listened to, and they have been heard. (Time expired)