A future Coalition Government will commit $6.35 million towards expanding a vital aged care facility in the Central West region of the Maranoa electorate.
Under a future Coalition Government, residents of Barcaldine and surrounding areas will be able to age in place thanks to a commitment of $6.35 million towards the expansion of the Barcaldine Aged Care Facility.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the Coalition was committed to ensuring regional Australians had access to quality aged care in the communities they call home.
“Everyone deserves to spend their golden years in their hometown surrounded by their loved ones, regardless of where they live,” Mr Littleproud said.
“For too long, regional Australians have had to pack up and leave the community they have called home for much of their lives due to the inaccessibility of quality aged care.
“That’s why, I’m proud to announce that a future Coalition Government will commit $6.35 million to help this vital extension come to fruition for the Barcaldine region.”
Mr Littleproud said this latest commitment comes after the former Coalition Government provided $1.8 million towards the construction of five new aged care units at the Barcaldine Aged Care Facility in 2021 under the Building Better Regions Program.
“The Coalition has a proven track record of delivering for aged care in regional Australia and this latest commitment proves that we are eager to continue that track record,” Mr Littleproud said.
“This commitment will enable the Barcaldine Aged Care Facility to cater for even more locals and in turn will help keep more families in the community.”
Barcaldine Aged Care Inc. Vice President Ken Wilson said the Coalition’s commitment would help give Barcaldine locals access to a much-needed transitional level of care to help bridge the gap between residential care and independent living accommodation, which is already being provided by Barcaldine Aged Care.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to live and be cared for in their own community for as long as possible as they age,” Mr Wilson said.
“Transitional care will allow Barcaldine regional residents to do just that. It will provide the level of care appropriate to their needs and in many cases eliminate the need to relocate for residential care.
“We’ve had so many locals, who have lived in the Barcaldine region all their lives, pack up and move to other towns just to access appropriate aged care.
“We want to stop losing people from our community unnecessarily. This commitment from the Coalition will provide the ideal alternative to allow our locals to age in place.”
ENDS
