Leading Aged Services Australia Says No Real Surprises in Budget

Leading Aged Services Australia (LASA) CEO Patrick Reid says the Budget 2013 has no real surprises, nasty or nice for the age services industry.
“LASA welcomes a budget with no surprises but laments a lost opportunity to further enhance the reform process by ensuring that funding matches the cost of care for older Australians." said Mr Reid
"LASA looks forward to being a participant and recipient of the research from the Andrew Fisher Applied Policy Research initiative to enhance positive ageing for all Australians and to enhance the ability of the age services sector to meet the increasing demands of an ageing population." said Mr Reid.
The Government will provide $4.6 million over four years to establish the Andrew Fisher Applied Policy Institute for Ageing to place Australia at the forefront of international policy development on the opportunities and challenges of ageing populations.  The Institute will draw on the best research in universities and policy centres, and provide the Government with evidence-based advice across a range of fields, including demographic change, community engagement and participation, health and wellbeing, and infrastructure for an ageing world.
"LASA would like to acknowledge the work of outgoing deputy secretary Rosemary Huxtable and looks forward to a productive relationship with her replacement David Martine." said Mr Reid.
“LASA will continue to work to advocate for funding that matches demonstrated care needs. “The age service workforce provides high quality care every day in an environment of growing pressure. “LASA is committed to assisting government to meet its ongoing age service liability with practical and innovate solutions; we look forward to government providing essential support needed to promote workforce growth and capital raising initiatives." said Mr Reid