Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Ludwig, the Minister representing the Minister for Ageing. My question relates to the recommendations arising out of the recent Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration inquiry into residential and community aged care in Australia.

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A very good report!

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A very good report. A significant proportion of the 31 recommendations refer to an all-encompassing review of the residential and aged-care sector to be conducted by the Department of Health and Ageing in conjunction with a task force to be established by a newly formed national aged-care forum. I note that there were no dissenting comments to this report and the committee unanimously supported these recommendations. However, the report did not stipulate the preferred time line for this all-encompassing review. My questions to the minister are: when will the government provide its response to the recommendations made by the finance and public administration committee inquiry; does the government support the recommendations of the inquiry; and, if so, what is the proposed date for the establishment of a national aged-care forum and subsequent task force to conduct this all-encompassing and urgent review?

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

I thank Xenophon for his question.

Opposition Senators:

Senator Xenophon!

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

I thank Senator Xenophon for his question. I understand that he does have an interest in residential and community aged care in Australia. I am aware that the report from the Senate inquiry into residential and community aged care in Australia was released on 29 April. My advice from the Minister for Ageing is that the report is currently being considered in detail and a response will formally be made in due course.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Given the numerous previous reviews into the aged-care sector by a range of organisations, including the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission interim health report, the Hogan review, the Access Economics report, the Thornton review and the Productivity Commission report, will be minister reassure the Australian public that this proposed review will take place as a matter of urgency and will not be delayed, given the urgent issues arising out of the recommendations and the report?

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

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Will the minister define ‘due course’? Does it mean next week, next month, next year, before the next election, after the next election? Given the various recommendations—

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A lot sooner than the previous government!

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not know if ‘a lot sooner than the previous government’ helps, Mr President. Can the minister at least provide some time line as to a response on this very important issue?

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

I thank Senator Xenophon for the question. It would be more appropriate in this instance to say that my advice to date is that the government will consider the report in detail and respond formally in due course. In terms of the time line, I will seek further advice from the relevant minister and provide advice back to the Senate as to the response.