The Albanese Labor Government’s callous disregard for rural, regional and remote Australians is on full display in the final business hours before a potential federal election is called, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said, after the Aged Care Minister announced an impossible timeline to save regional aged care home care services.

The shallow announcement follows Labor’s cruel hoax on regional Australians struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, pretending relief is at hand when it will only arrive in 15 months’ time and will provide just 70 cents a day, through rushed income tax changes.

“I cannot believe that today Aged Care Minister Wells has announced $600 million for struggling rural, remote and specialist support-at-home providers, which they desperately need,” Dr Webster said, “However all indications are the Prime Minister will call an election tomorrow and the grant arrangements warn potential grantees that if the grant process has not concluded before caretaker period, their grant application cannot be finalised until after the election.”

“This is a brazen misuse of the Ministerial capacity to, in effect, make an election announcement posing as a funding announcement.  How on earth can a struggling regional aged care provider apply for funding today, the day the initiative was announced, pulling together all their supporting information and material, for funding they desperately need for survival?”

“I have received enquiries from across Mallee from constituents distressed they have received notice their local service provider will no longer provide a service, and indeed from service providers – some supported by local government – and have communicated with the Minister my concerns about these services being able to continue.”

“This shallow, callous announcement cannot possibly meet the needs of regional Australians with a grant process for current providers lasting, in all likelihood, less than 24 hours.”

“I call upon the Minister to explain how struggling regional aged care providers can possibly access this program in the timeline she has set for them.”

“The desperate Albanese Government’s actions today suggest Ministers have learned this afternoon they need to get ‘good news’ out the door before the Prime Minister shuts the gate on Ministerial announcements.  It shows no regard whatsoever for regional Australians and service providers who desperately need this funding right now.  The Minister has been derelict in her duty to ensure continuity of care for regional Australians” 

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