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

What I can add—in addition to the answer I provided in relation to the 10,447 new aged-care places worth an estimated $347 million in annual recurrent funding made available—is that the Rudd government also allocated a record $51 million in capital grants. That is the largest single capital grant allocation by an Australian government since the Aged Care Act came into effect in 1997. So, in comparison to what the opposition—the previous government—did, this government recognise and are putting work into this area. We are ensuring that there is also a further $4.8 million allocated as community and flexible-care grants. These grants are used to help establish new or extend existing communities and flexible aged-care services. Particular, Senator Williams would be interested to know— (Time expired)