Butler looks forward to PC’s draft report

The new ageing minister is in discussion with industry stakeholders ahead of the draft report’s release in December.

The new Minister for Mental Health and Ageing has acknowledged that more needs to be done to improve the nation’s aged care system.

In an exclusive statement for AAA, Mark Butler again confirmed that Julia Gillard and health minister Nicola Roxon had identified aged care as a priority area for the Labor Government’s second term.

“I am currently meeting with various stakeholders to discuss all of the issues affecting older Australians,” Mr Butler said in his statement.

“I also look forward to the draft report of the Productivity Commission Inquiry to be released later this year.”

Mr Butler comes to the portfolio with experience in healthcare, having worked as the Secretary of the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union in SA and after serving as a Parliamentary Secretary for Health in the Rudd Government.

“In my time working as the Secretary for the LHMU, I represented some of the hardest working, but lowest paid people in our community; workers in aged care and disabilities, hospitality and tourism workers, childcare workers, cleaners and members of the manufacturing sectors,” he said in his statement.

“As the former Parliamentary Secretary for Health, I worked closely with Health and Ageing Minister, Nicola Roxon, in implementing the Gillard Government’s National Health and Hospitals Network reforms, including an investment of more than $900 million over four years to build a nationally consistent, Commonwealth-run aged care system.

“This will provide more primary care services in aged care facilities, more beds and extra care packages.”

Mr Butler will address the Aged and Community Services Australia conference in Hobart tomorrow.

Tags: acsa, conference, julia-gillard, mark-butler, productivity-commission,

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