Anne Webster (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Yesterday, when the debate on the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2021 was interrupted, I was speaking about the Princes Court aged-care facility. Through the Commonwealth government's aged-care approval rounds, I was pleased to announce $4.5 million for Princes Court Homes to support their redevelopment plans. This was wonderful news for Lyn and Jenny who had worked on those plans for over three years. But this kind of investment is about more than just bricks and mortar; it is about reinforcing the future of care for senior Australians across Australia. This investment in Mallee will mean that our older residents have access to facilities that are truly the home environment they deserve. It provides dignity and independent living and security in a supportive community. I also secured over $4.6 million for Oasis Aged Care in Irymple, $350,000 for Cohuna Village and a further $4.9 million to enhance the wonderful work of Havilah aged care in Maryborough, bringing our commitments to $14.47 million in Mallee alone. This Liberal-Nationals government is investing over $338 million over three years to grow, train and upskill the aged-care workforce and drive improvements in the safety and quality of care.

I have always enjoyed visiting our aged-care facilities. Of course, COVID has stymied those visits with our seniors across Mallee. Over the past year and a half, it has been exceptionally difficult for families and loved ones of those in aged-care homes. Families have been cut off from their loved ones for extended periods of time. This has resulted in many missing out on invaluable quality time at the end of life. My heart goes out to those who have not been able to share these moments face to face with their loved ones.

One of the wonderful initiatives that has taken place in recent times is the transgenerational connection of playgroups and child care with aged-care homes. In my former life, the not-for-profit I founded, Zoe Support, began this work in Mildura. They were the first community group in Mallee to take playgroups into aged-care homes. The organisation still does so, depending on COVID health orders, of course. Bupa Aged Care Mildura have benefited from the initiative of Zoe Support's playgroup program. This community program brings life and joy to the residents of Bupa. It is wonderful to see the faces of residents light up when meeting with the little people that come into their facility. All the while, the young mums and their children also richly benefit. I know that both Zoe Support and Bupa Aged Care Mildura will be eagerly awaiting the easing of restrictions to allow the program to continue this great work that they have been doing for years. This kind of initiative is what makes me especially proud to represent Mallee.

Another notable initiative is run by Chaffey Aged Care in Mildura. I also secured $500,000 for Chaffey Aged Care for the construction of an early learning centre. Darren Midgley, the CEO of Chaffey Aged Care, told me of the enhanced quality of life for residents as a result of this recent infrastructure development. I was pleased to open the early learning centre with Senator Bridget McKenzie. The centre has been strategically located alongside the Chaffey Aged Care facility. It is wonderful to see interaction between children and seniors clearly bringing joy, and it is evidence of the innovation and collaboration of Mildura educational and aged-care agencies.

The Morrison-Joyce government has invested in aged care across Australia and is committed to seeing our aged population thrive.

This bill establishes a legislated authority for nationally consistent pre-employment screening. Importantly, this will prevent unsuitable workers from entering or returning to the aged-care sector. This will provide comfort to those with loved ones in aged care or those beginning the journey of finding a suitable aged-care facility, that safeguards are in place to ensure their wellbeing and safety. This bill will also see the fundamental extension of the Serious Incident Response Scheme to go beyond residential care and into home care as well. These measures are indeed crucial to ensuring that our elderly and their families have peace of mind and the assurance that they will be looked after and afforded respectful, dignified and personalised care.

I endorse these legislative amendments, as I believe that investing in our aged-care sector is the right response and an imperative to ensuring improvement in services and care for our seniors. We all want Australia to be a global leader in aged care into the future. Our senior Australians deserve nothing less.

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