Office for the Ageing

In reply to Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (23 July 2014). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): I have been advised:

The decrease in calls received by the retirement villages unit in the Office for the Ageing (OFTA) in 2012-13 relative to 2011-12 reflected the relatively high call volume experienced in 2011- 12 with the release of a public discussion paper on a review of the Retirement Villages Regulations. Whilst call volume to the retirement villages unit has generally increased over time, a spike in call volume was experienced in 2011-12.

There was one staff member working offline to assist the legislative review in 2012-13. An additional temporary staff member was recruited to ensure that all aspects of the work of the retirement villages unit could be maintained including responding to calls from members of the public. As such, despite additional work related to the legislative review, the same number of staff has continued to be dedicated to responding to calls from the public.