The Coalition welcomes the release of the Productivity Commission’s report Caring For Older Australians and calls on the Gillard Government to act on long-awaited aged care reform.

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, said it was widely accepted that the sector is in need of reform.

“The Coalition has been calling for much needed reform for a long time.  At the last election we set out a framework for real a... ction through the first ever four-year aged care provider agreement with the sector including consideration of the Productivity Commission’s report,” Senator Fierravanti-Wells said.

“The ball, however, is now in the Gillard Government’s court.  At the last election she said aged care reform would be a second term priority but it was clear from the Prime Minister today that she has no firm plans to act on aged care reform any time soon.

“Despite the many reviews, reports and discussion, all we heard from the Prime Minister was the promise of more talk and more conversation.

“Minister Butler has previously said there would be no money for aged care until at least the next budget.

“Older Australians and the sector are no closer to knowing how structural reform will be introduced and how this will affect the care they receive and where they receive it.

“This is a government that has a poor track record with program delivery, wasting billions on pink batts and school halls.  How can we expect that they will deliver on something as important as long term aged care reform.”