The aged care industry today called on the Government to clarify and confirm the
eligibility of aged care services for the insulation and solar hot water rebates.
Greg Mundy CEO of Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) stated: "Aged
care homes are just that, people's homes, and residents in them should be treated in
the same way as other Australians."
"It would be unfair if frail older Australians living in aged care homes were not treated
as well as people living in other forms of accommodation." Mundy added.
"The insulation and solar hot water rebates should be available on a per resident
basis and paid to aged care facilities as they would be to landlords for rented
accommodation."
"We presume that this was Minister Elliot's intent on Wednesday when she urged
aged care homes to apply for the $1600 Solar Hot Water rebate and the $1,000
insulation rebate."
This could help many older aged care homes without insulation to become more
energy efficient and improve the comfort of their residents.
There now seems to be some confusion about the eligibility of aged care homes to
apply for these rebates which will cause anxiety until the Minister's intent is re-
affirmed.
Responses to Opposition questions in the Senate Estimates process appear to cast
doubt on the Government's intent in this regard.
"This was presumably the thinking behind Minister Elliot's statement - which we
applaud. It is something that should be strongly supported.
"The Australian Government now needs to confirm this approach and put an end to
the confusion surrounding this matter," said Mundy.
