Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I am very please d to inform the Senate that the government has recently announced the opening of the Aged Care Approval s Round for May 2014. The Aged Care Approvals Round is , as colleagues will be aware, the major funding round in the aged care sector and provides new Australian - government - funded aged care places to service providers through a competitive assessment process. The government recognises, and I think all colleagues recognise, that many older Australians are keen to stay at home for as long as they possibly can, which is why this round will continue to expand the Home Care Packages Program, which provides individual tailored packages of home care services to help older Australians remain living independently in their own homes. This funding follows a $240 million investment by the government earlier this year in the Home and Community Care program, which provides funding for critical basic maintenance support and care services, again, where most people prefer to receive them, at home. To encourage greater investment in areas of need, the government will also make funding available for capital grants under the Rural, Regional and Other Special Needs Building Fund, as part of the Aged Care Approvals Round. The government is committed to an aged care sector that provides choice and quality for older Australians.

Australians are living longer than ever before, which is indeed cause for celebration. Mr President, you might be interested to know that in Australia today there are over 3,500 centenarians and that by 2050 there will be over 50,000 centenarians. What a great national resource that is to draw upon. There are many here aspiring to join those ranks! The government is going to be working very closely over the coming years to adapt to the increased demand and to encourage our system to be one focused on quality and choice. (Time expired)