Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Polley for her question and for her ongoing interest in aged care issues. The Gillard government last week released its response to the 2011 Productivity Commission report Caring for Older Australians. The report provides analysis of the aged care sector and detailed proposals for reform. The Prime Minister has said the recommendations will be considered as part of the government's broader agenda and that our response will be guided by four principles: first, every older Australian has earned the right to access quality care and support appropriate to their needs when they need it; second, older Australians deserve greater choice and greater control over their care; third, funding arrangements need to be sustainable and fair both for older Australians and for the broader community; and, fourth, older Australians deserve to receive quality care from a skilled workforce.

The government is determined to make these necessary reforms to our aged care system. This government has the runs on the board when it comes to aged care and when it comes to the pension. After a decade of inaction by the coalition, federal Labor overhauled the pension system to make it adequate and sustainable for the millions of age and disability pensioners, carers and veterans. Our pension reforms have deliver­ed increases for maximum rate pensioners of $128 a fortnight for singles and $116 a fortnight for couples combined—a historic change. These reforms are on top of the $400 a year increase in the utilities allowance we provided to pensioners. We have also introduced national transport concessions for Seniors Card holders. On top of these reforms we have now delivered on our election commitment with a new work bonus allowing pensioners to keep more of the money they earn from part-time work. Unlike those opposite, Labor has acted—acted for pensioners and acted for seniors—and will continue to do it into the future.