Five months after it was delayed due to COVID, the Federal Government has handed down its Budget for 2020-21 – but while there were some measures to benefit older Australians, many opportunities were missed.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg did announce $1.6 billion in funding for 23,000 new Home Care Packages over the next four years to help older people staying living independently at home.
But given this only works out as around 6,000 people per year – and the waiting list for packages is currently sitting at over 100,000 – these new packages have been rightly labelled a ‘drop in the ocean’.
There was also no commitment to reducing the waiting times for packages – which are now at over 12 months for the higher Level 2, 3 and 4 packages.
Some good news for older Australians
There was some good news. $11 million in funding will be directed towards more training for aged care staff and providers, including in the important area of dementia care.
Almost $30 million is being dedicated to a new Serious Incident Response Scheme designed to provide better protection for aged care residents.
Another $10 million was given to the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council, which is working to build the aged care workforce and ensure staff have the right skills to do their jobs.
As a bonus, aged pensioners and Commonwealth Senior Health Card holders will also receive two tax-free payments of $250 in December this year and March 2021 – including those living in residential care.
However, it is clear that there will be no immediate funding relief for the residential care sector in the near future.
Government says it has already outlaid $1.6 billion during COVID
Mr Frydenberg argued that the Government has already spent $1.6 billion since February to support the sector during the coronavirus pandemic.
He added that more funding and measures will be put in place once the Royal Commission delivers its Final Report in February 2021 – most likely in the May 2021 Budget.
“The government will provide a comprehensive response to the final recommendations following receipt of that report,” he said. “This will involve significant additional investment.”
But with over 60% of the sector running at a financial loss according to accounting firm StewartBrown – and these figures expected to worsen into next year – can the sector afford to wait another seven months?
After all, this is the care and support of our Mums and Dads that are at stake.
We hope this Government considers this in the wake of this week.
