Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader (Tasmania)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate:

(a) notes:

  (i) the delayed release of the March 2018 home care package data by the Turnbull Government which reveals more than 108 000 older Australians are on a waitlist for a home care package,

  (ii) that this includes 88 000 older Australians waiting with high needs, many with dementia, and

  (iii) that 53 365 older Australians are receiving no home care package at all;

(b) calls on the Turnbull Government to address the growing home care package waitlist as a matter of urgency; and

(c) recognises action is required now and the Turnbull Government must deliver on the 'Living Longer Living Better' reforms to ensure older Australians receive the care they so desperately need.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Over 77,000 older Australians were receiving a home care package as at 31 December 2017—a 12-month increase of 9,261 places, or 13.5 per cent. An estimated 81,000 people are receiving either an interim home care package or Commonwealth home support. The 2018-19 budget included $1.6 billion for additional high-level packages.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 997 be agreed to.