Page 695 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 1990
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We support the three-tier model for the transition from self-care to hostel to nursing home accommodation. We will negotiate with the Commonwealth for a realistic allocation of beds. We are considering the sale of the Jindalee site and the selection of a more suitable site for a new nursing home. I must say, by the way, that Jindalee is the only nursing home in the ACT to receive accreditation by the Australian Council of Health Care Standards and that the high standard of care that it delivers is impressive. Whatever we ultimately decide, that level of excellence must be retained.
Under the home and community care program we will be negotiating with the Commonwealth to include the priorities for transport services, respite care, personal alarms and podiatry services, as identified by the inquiry. Our policy specifies the encouragement of independence and self-management at home for the ageing, wherever possible. Following the Commonwealth's example on health policies for women and young people, we will develop a health policy for the ageing, with particular emphasis on health advancement and preventive health measures.
A key element in reducing isolation and providing access for the ageing is adequate and affordable transport. (Extension of time granted) We will be developing a transport policy for the ageing, for implementation in the 1991-92 and subsequent budgets. We will urgently review the taxi scheme for people with disabilities, for consideration in the 1990-91 budget, and examine ways of reducing transport costs for the ageing. We endorse the concept underpinning the home and community care program, that most older people prefer to stay in their homes, or self-care, as long as possible. Support for carers of the ageing is a central feature in maintaining the ageing in the community rather than in residential care. We will continue our negotiations with the Commonwealth on the home and community care program to improve support for carers.
In conclusion, the blueprint is not a series of empty promises. It begins with a very positive response to the inquiry into the needs of the ageing, and goes further to map out a long-term, cross-agency framework for ensuring that we cater to the needs of our ageing population in a reasonable and responsible way. The Alliance Government, through the "Blueprint for the Ageing", demonstrates that the ageing are valued members of our community, and it ensures their continued contribution to the community.
I want to conclude on a different note today and talk about the benefits of self-government and, in particular, the committee system. This is the first report of the Social Policy Committee. It proves that self-government is benefiting Canberra's citizens. As Leader of the Opposition, I initiated this inquiry; the committee was chaired by Bill Wood, then a member of the Government; the report was presented to the Labor Government and has now been addressed by the Alliance Government. We have agreed with it, and I hope the Opposition will support it.
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