PDF printable version of $309M for care for Queensland aged and disabled (PDF 28 KB)
Joint Release
The Hon Christopher Pyne MP
Minister for Ageing
The Hon Warren Pitt MP
Queensland Minister for Communities
and Disability Services
10 May 2007
CP49/07
More domestic assistance, centre-based day care, social support and respite care services would be available to Queenslanders under a boost to care service funding, the Australian Government Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne, and the Queensland Minister for Communities and Disability Services, Warren Pitt, announced today.
The extra services are being made available to older people and people with a disability through an increase of $31.46 million in funding for Home and Community Care (HACC) services in Queensland.
Total available funding for the HACC program in Queensland for 2006 07 will rise to more than $309 million. The program has been supporting older Australians, younger people with disabilities, and their carers since 1985.
“The increase in funding will help more people to maintain their independence and continue to live within their community – as most people wish to do,” Mr Pyne said.
“Without Home and Community Care services such as respite care, domestic assistance, or transport services for the frail and aged, many people would have to move prematurely into residential care.”
Mr Pitt said that in the 2005¬–06 financial year, more than 158,000 people in Queensland had been helped under the Home and Community Care program.
“This increase in funding means more people will be able to have access to services, which will include help for activities such as dressing, bathing and grooming, chores around the house, and access to the community,” he said.
“Funding will also be allocated to priority areas such as services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
This financial year, more than $1.5 billion will be provided for the Home and Community Care program nationwide, with the Australian Government contributing almost $928 million.
Media contact: Adam Howard (Mr Pyne’s office) (08) 8431 2277 / 0400 414 833
Peter Nibbs (Mr Pitt’s office) (07) 3235 4280 / 0417 789 208
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