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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 9 Hansard (27 August) . . Page.. 3226 ..

Older Canberrans

Debate resumed from 20 August 2003, on motion by Mr Cornwell:

That this Assembly expresses its grave concern at the Government's lack of commitment to addressing the needs of Older Canberrans, particularly through the provision of aged care facilities and calls on the Government to:

(1) give priority to aged care facility applications in planning policies and processes;

(2) be proactive by listing twelve potential sites for future aged care facilities so that applications for Commonwealth funding for beds can be expedited;

(3) plan a Step-Down facility for southern Canberra;

(4) improve the location, frequency and quantum of respite care places.

and on the amendment moved by Mr Corbell:

Omit all words after "That this Assembly expresses its", substitute the following:

"concern at the increasing difficulties older Canberrans are facing in accessing appropriate accommodation and:

(1) Notes that the ACT Government:

    1. has given priority to determining applications for direct sale of land for aged care facility proposals providing for approximately 269 beds;

    2. has been proactive in initiating work for sites in Belconnen and Tuggeranong with the potential for a minimum of a further 250 beds;

    3. has allocated $5.15 million for a sub-acute facility for the ACT providing post acute rehabilitation, psycho-geriatric and transitional care services;

    4. provides respite care through the Burrangiri Crisis Respite Centre for the Aged and has provided $450,000 for a new pilot program to provide flexible family support for people who care for older Canberrans.

(2) Urges the ACT and Commonwealth Governments to continue to adopt and implement measures to address this growing level of demand for appropriate accommodation for older Canberrans and their families."

and on Ms Tucker's amendments to Mr Corbell's proposed amendment:

(1) Add new point

(2) Calls on the ACT Government to report to the Assembly on the extent to which the above measures meet the unmet needs in all sectors of the population of older Canberrans, and strategies and timelines to meet the remaining unmet need;"

(2) and renumber point 2 as point 3.

MS DUNDAS (10.42): Mr Speaker, I will speak to all of the amendments and the substantive motion. This debate got quite heated when it was being conducted last week. I am glad that we have now had a week to perhaps cool off as we again address this very important issue of how we care for older Canberrans.

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