I have invited the Commissioners inquiring into Aged Care Quality and Safety in Australia to hold a public hearing in the Hunter region.
I have been contacted by many older constituents and their families who have concerns about residential aged care and home care, and have spoken on it Parliament.
Some of the stories of neglect and abuse in residential aged care emerging from the Royal Commission are truly shocking.
And it is just as alarming to realise there are 129,000 older Australians waiting for care at home, some up to two years, and that 16,000 have died waiting, and 14,000 have been forced to enter residential care.
A hearing in the Hunter would service the large population base of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens, and allow easy access for those on the Central Coast and Mid-North Coast – all of which have large aged and retirement populations.
Our older Australians deserve quality care. They must be treated with dignity and the concerns of their families and loved ones taken seriously.
The Liberal Government has failed to hear their concerns and Labor will continue the fight.
I would encourage anyone with an aged care experience they want to share to make a submission before September 30. You can write to Royal Commission at GPO Box 1151 Adelaide SA 5001; email [email protected]; phone 1800 960 711; or fill in a website form at https://agedcaresubmissions.lawinorder.com.au/