Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

I am not sure on the last issue, Senator. I will see if there is anybody here who can assist. But, in relation to aged care, you would be aware that the package includes amendments to the Aged Care Act 1997 to allow a portion of the clean energy payments paid to eligible residents in residential care to flow to providers. This will enable providers who meet some of their residents' costs of daily living to meet the increased costs relating to the carbon price. The arrangement will ensure that household assistance is shared fairly between residents and providers.

As the senator pointed out, the maximum standard resident contribution payable by most eligible residents of aged-care homes will increase from 84 per cent to 85 per cent of the total basic pension amount. This increase will mean that aged-care homes will receive 52 per cent of the clean energy payments and pensioners will retain 48 per cent of their clean energy payments. The basic daily fee will remain the same for non-pensioner residents of aged-care homes who do not hold a Commonwealth seniors health card and who will not receive clean energy payments. Instead a new government aged-care supplement equal to one per cent of the basic pension will be payable in respect to these residents. I will see if there is any information I can provide in relation to the last issue and come back to the senator on it.