Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) welcomed the announcements this week by Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler, regarding the membership of two new key bodies for aged care - the independent Council and the Financing Authority.

LASA CEO Gerard Mansour hailed the announcements as key milestones for the aged care industry, calling them positive and important indicators that a decade of reform is underway.

“The key advisory bodies will utilise their specialist expertise to advise Government and most importantly, work closely with our industry on what will be a long term reform agenda.

“Along with the recently announced ACFI Monitoring Group, these bodies will play a critical role in ensuring we build a viable and flourishing industry for the long term, one that can respond to the needs of our ageing population” Mr Mansour said.

Mr Mansour added that over coming months, LASA’s collective attention will increasingly turn to the critical building blocks required to establish a streamlined system; where a responsive and adaptable industry can respond to changing consumer needs.

This will include:
 maintaining and delivering on the central commitment for funding to properly match care needs both in residential care and home care
 ensuring a streamlined system that allows providers to set in place accommodation fee levels that ensure appropriate return on investment
 ensuring a system for all Australians, where the special needs of disadvantaged or marginalised groups are protected, including indigenous Australians, the homeless, those from a CALD background and other special needs groups, and;
 ensuring a viable and robust aged care system in rural and remote areas across Australia.

“LASA is committed to building a flourishing and robust aged care industry that can meet the needs of all older Australians, whether that be in their own homes or in residential aged care” Mr Mansour said.

For further comment, please call
Gerard Mansour, CEO
0417 518103

• non-AHHA

• Printer-friendly version