ACT Opposition develops ageing plan
Dental care for seniors and ‘land banks’ for future retirement villages and aged care facilities are at the top of the Canberra Liberals’ ageing agenda.
The ACT Opposition has unveiled the first stages of a “comprehensive” plan for Canberra’s ageing population.
With the capital territory’s Legislative Assembly election just over a month away, Opposition Leader Zed Seselja announced a number of health and planning reforms for elderly people.
Topping the Canberra Liberals’ list of promises is a $1.7 million commitment to address the dental needs of older people in Canberra.
Under the plan, 500 older people on the aged pension or with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card will receive up to $1000 worth of dental care each year.
“I will not allow dental care for older Canberrans to slip between the cracks of blame shifting between the Commonwealth and the states”, said Mr Seselja.
Among the planning proposals is a plan to reserve a ‘land bank’ of sites for future retirement villages and aged care facilities.
Mr Seselja said the land bank would include sites across Canberra’s urban spread and would allow retirees to remain close their communities.
Mr Seselja also said that if elected, he would set aside $100,000 to identify transport options to help elderly people move as independently as possible within their neighbourhoods.
The Stanhope Government has focused more on broader community issues in the early stages of its campaign.
ABC radio reported that it has pledged $2.5 million to provide petrol vouchers and bus tickets for volunteers and carers.
