media release

SENATE FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Inquiry into residential and community aged care in Australia

The Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee will hold a public hearing on Friday, 27 March for its inquiry into residential and community aged care in Australia in the Bow Room, Peppers Seaport Hotel, 28 Seaport Boulevard,Launceston, the Chair, Senator Helen Polley announced.

The hearing is open to the public and the program is attached.

Senator Helen Polley noted that: 'The committee will continue its hearings into the important issue of residential and community aged care and take evidence from representatives of the care services sector and the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services'.

The Committee has already held hearings in Canberra, Perth and Melbourne and the Chair stated that: 'It is important that the Committee hears evidence from as many stakeholders across Australia so that it can gain a complete picture of the issues facing the aged care sector. This inquiry has generated considerable interest from providers, health professions, individual carers, involved unions and all levels of government.'

Senator Polley concluded that: 'As more and more Australians are reaching retirement age and becoming infirm, issues to do with aged accommodation and services will become more complex and it will be important that appropriate measures are in place to ensure that quality care is available. Witnesses to the inquiry have raised many issues particularly in relation to funding, the allocation of services and workforce problems. The matters raised will be considered in the Committee's report which will be tabled on 29 April 2009.'

For further information, please contact:
Senator Helen Polley, Chair, on (03) 6331 2599
Committee secretariat on (02) 6277 3439 or 0416 277 013
The submissions and Hansard transcripts of previous hearings are available at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fapa_ctte/aged_care/index.htm

SENATE FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE INQUIRY INTO RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY AGED CARE
PUBLIC HEARING

Friday, 27 March 2009
Bow Room, Peppers Seaport Hotel
28 Seaport Boulevard, LAUNCESTON
9.00 am – 3.15 pm

9.00 am - 9.45 am Aged and Community Services Tasmania – Sub 73
Ms Susan Parr, President
Mr Darren Mathewson, Chief Executive Officer
9.45 am - 10.45 am Meercroft Care Inc – Sub 64
Mr Garth Murphy, Vice-Chairperson of Board
Ms Wendy Shearer, Chief Executive Officer
Mr Paul Stevenson, Financial Manager
Mt St Vincent Nursing Home and Therapy Centre – Sub 1
Mr Tony Muir, Board Chairman
Mr Peter deWeys, Finance Manager
Freemasons' Homes of Southern Tasmania Inc – Sub 54
Mr Greg Burgess, Chief Executive Officer
10.45 am - 11.00 am Break
11.00 am - 11.50 pm Eliza Purton Ltd – Sub 11
Mr Malcolm Johnstone, Chief Executive Officer
Mr John Hughes, Chairman of the Board
Ms Cathrin Boerma, Regional Manager, Care Services
Tandara Lodge Community Care Inc – Sub 47
Mr Paul Crantock, Chief Executive Officer
Huon Eldercare – Sub 44
Mr Barry Lange, Chief Executive Officer/Director of Nursing  
Mr Colin Patmore, Business Manager
11.50 am - 12.35 pm The Mary Ogilvy Homes Society – Sub 51
Ms Jo Hardy, Chief Executive Officer
12.35 pm - 1.30 pm Lunch
1.30 pm - 2. 30pm May Shaw Health Centre Inc – Sub 57
Mr Craig Johnston, Board Chairman 
Mr Michael Hannon, Business Manager
Ms Judy Moore, Nurse Manager
Presbyterian Care Tasmania – Sub 56
Hon Dr Frank Madill, Chairman, Board of Directors
Mr Robin Philps, Chief Executive Officer
St Ann's Homes – Sub 66
Ms Susan Parr, Chief Executive Officer
Mr Rod Hunt, General Manager of Operations
2.30 pm - 3.15 pm Department of Health and Human Services – Sub 120
Ms Janet Carty, Principal Consultant, Community & Aged Care, Office of Aged Care & Rehabilitation Services
Mr Brendon Davidson, Senior Consultant, Rehabilitation and Aged Care, Office of Aged Care & Rehabilitation Services