More support for bonds in high care

An online opinion article published today accuses the Minister for Ageing of using ‘spin’ to keep high care bonds off the political agenda.

The article’s author, Jeremy Sammut from conservative policy think tank, the Centre for Independent Studies said that Justine Elliot sought to discredit the alliance of Queensland providers which formed last month to keep bonds out of the headlines.

But he added that with the gap between existing and required capital capacity over the next decade estimated to be $27 billion, accommodation bonds in high care are a necessity.

“The sector’s lack of capacity to expand to meet the needs of the ageing population is well known,” he said.

“We only need to look at the amazing growth in low care once it had the ability to charge bonds to see that that’s the way the sector needs to go into the future.”

Mr Sammut said in the article that it is the duty of government to convince the public of the need for high care bonds.

He said the Howard Government “squibbed” the opportunity twice and the Rudd Government is in danger of doing the same thing.

“We can’t just depend on government to make the sector sustainable into the future,” said Mr Sammut. “The costs are going to be huge and the sector must be given the opportunity to dictate its own future.”

“The arguments for accommodation bonds are mature and the Hogan report has already outlined the reasons why they are fair. The problem is that politics is constantly getting in the way.”

In a June statement, the Minister said Queensland was receiving record aged care funding under the Rudd Government.

“This Government is playing its part. No Federal government in Australian history has spent more on aged care and community care than this one. We are proud of our plans for aged and community care,” she said.