Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to congratulate and thank everyone involved in the aged care forum held in Launceston last week. I had the opportunity to host the Hon. Mark Butler MP, the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, in my electorate of Bass. The minister, Senator Helen Polley and I hosted a forum on aged care, which gave seniors, pensioners and service providers from Bass a great chance to ask the minister directly about the government's plan to build a stronger aged-care system through the Living Longer, Living Better reforms.

There was a fantastic response from attendees as they heard more about how they and their families will benefit from more choice, easier access and better care—thanks to these landmark reforms to Australia's aged-care system which are designed to tackle the major social and economic challenges of the nation's ageing population. It was a great event and many insightful questions were asked. It is fantastic to know that the residents of Bass are actively planning for their retirement. I am proud that the Labor government is acting to ensure that quality, affordable care will be available to all Australians in their senior years.