Moncrieff Media

Labor needs to address Gold Coast aged care crisis

24 February 2009

An interim report by the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) has highlighted the need for the Rudd Labor Government to start seriously planning for a significant increase in the Gold Coast’s aged population, Moncrieff MP Steven Ciobo said.

“Moncrieff has the fourth largest concentration of aged persons over 65 in Australia. I can’t stress enough the importance of the Rudd Labor Government to start prioritising the city’s aged care sector,” Mr Ciobo said.

“Currently, there are 22,130 residents over the age of 65 living in Moncrieff, and the numbers are expected to increase to 36,293 by 2020, and almost double to 56,653 by 2035.

“With numbers of local residents over 65 set to explode, the Gold Coast needs to be well prepared for an influx in demand for aged care facilities.

“The NHHRC report recommends the Rudd Labor Government address key issues challenging older Australians like bed shortages and waiting lists.

“But, the refusal from Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, to provide a comprehensive response to the recommendations is evidence the Government is not prioritising our ageing population, which is a huge concern.

“I am calling on Justine Elliot and the Rudd Labor Government to stop ignoring the aged care crisis on the Gold Coast and start planning for the future. Gold Coast residents deserve certainty in order to plan for the future.

“The Minister needs to urgently address critical funding shortages to reduce waiting lists and deliver nursing homes the financial security they need to prepare for a major increase in residents aged over 65.

“An under-subscription of beds leads to bed shortages and longer waiting lists, which spells disaster for Gold Coasters in need of aged care. With careful planning by the Government this can be avoided, but at the moment, there is no sign of it happening.”