Santo Santoro (Queensland, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Humphries for his question and for his continuing strong interest and involvement in aged care issues. I have just returned from the United States, where I was able to share information and views with key stakeholders on ageing policy and the aged care system. Additionally, I was privileged to attend, in Washington DC on 14 June 2006, a special ceremony to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the Baker’s Creek air crash, in which 40 US servicemen died shortly after taking off from Mackay, Queensland, where they had just completed a period of rest and recreational leave from the theatres of war in the Pacific. I have addressed the Senate on this matter several times before.

I can report to the Senate that during my trip to the United States I had a large number of very useful meetings regarding ageing matters. In Austin, Texas, I met with the adviser to Governor Perry on ageing issues, the Texas Land Commissioner, who is responsible for the administration of the Texas veterans homes, and Mr Pat Kennedy, a director of the Holiday Retirement Corporation. I also met with the Texas Secretary and Deputy Secretary of State. In Washington DC I met with Dr Zaven Kachaturian, a world expert in programs for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and their carers, and also the man who contributed greatly to the Alzheimer’s Australia 2004 Report, Dementia research: a vision for Australia.

I also met with the Director of Ageing and Retirement Policy at the American Enterprise Institute, the Director of the National Institute for Ageing, the Assistant Secretary of the federal Administration on Ageing, the Director of Health Policy at the Heritage Foundation, the President of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing, and the Director of the National Centre on Elder Abuse. I also met with Congressman Ralph Regula, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and—