Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I start by acknowledging all those Australians who are suffering from the terrible bushfires that continue to burn around the country and reassure them that our government is responding to their call. I rise, however, to support the coalition government's actions on the royal commission's interim report into aged care and to support the announcement of a strong, progressive reform agenda: a $537 million funding package to be spent across these key priority areas. It includes: firstly, an additional 10,000 home care packages; secondly, medication programs to reduce the use of medical restraints; thirdly, training programs for dementia carers; and, fourthly, the removal from aged-care homes of younger people living with disability.

The Morrison government—and indeed the Prime Minister himself—is to be applauded for instigating the royal commission and for acting on it decisively and swiftly after the interim report was handed down. Solutions, solutions—that's what we on our side deliver. Today's news has been welcomed at home in Moncrieff, in particular by the residents, families and carers at Earle Haven who were affected by a breakdown between providers that resulted in the unnecessary evacuation—by the state, not the services—of frail and elderly residents on Friday 11 July this year.

Additionally, our government supports all 23 recommendations of the Carnell report, which investigated what occurred. We are working hard to implement them for older Australians. Since 11 July, I have visited almost a dozen aged-care homes in Moncrieff and I'm pleased to report that the residents I have visited are all doing well and my office continues to give assistance where required. (Time expired)

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