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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-02-22 Daily Xml
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HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (15:38): My question is to the Minister for Families and Communities. Can the minister advise the house how the government is supporting older South Australians to stay living in their own homes while also being connected to the community?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (15:38): I thank the member for Torrens for her question and her continued strong advocacy for older people in our South Australian community. I am very proud to say that this government has a strong record in supporting South Australian seniors and a proud history in delivering innovative programs to help older people live independently in their homes and be involved in their communities—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Keep the clock going, please. It will not take as long next time. From help around the house, delivered meals, social support and personal care, more than 96,000 South Australians are now supported through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program, and, soon, even more will benefit.

Today I am pleased to inform the house of a $12 million increase in Home and Community Care funding, taking the total to a record $174 million. This is a 99 per cent increase in funding since this government came to office in 2002. It also represents a 42 per cent increase in the number of hours of HACC services provided in this state under the Rann Labor government.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Home and Community Care is a joint state and federal government program, and this year funding has been prioritised for a number of new, innovative and exciting programs. These are initiatives that really get to the heart of helping older South Australians from all backgrounds to maintain the best quality of life possible.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: She is permanently outraged.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Can I ask the Minister for Correctional Services, perhaps rather than timing the gaps, to time the length?

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: I hope you are timing.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Not the gaps; there aren't very many gaps. Time the length. Madam Speaker, in South Australia we are very proud of our multicultural community and the many migrants whose contributions have made our state the great place it is today. Now, many of these men and women are elderly and need our help. I am pleased to say that an additional $1.5 million in Home and Community Care funding will go to agencies to support older South Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This will break down language barriers and ensure services take into account people's cultural needs.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Helping older people live in their homes continues to be one of our government's key priorities. Anglicare shares this strategy, and, through $200,000 in new HACC funding, the organisation will work with NEC Australia to use technology to better support older people. Through the Technology to Aged Care project, a range of digital devices will be used to remind people about appointments, to take their medication and to help them manage their needs and maintain their independence.

While we place a high priority on addressing individual needs, sometimes people do not necessarily need or want their support to be just one-on-one. A broader strategy that has proven to be very successful in supporting the elderly and people with mobility issues to get out and about is the community passenger networks. This service, which delivers affordable, accessible transport for people who cannot use or access public transport, will now be expanded, thanks to $800,000 in new recurrent HACC funding. These networks give seniors and the people who cannot just get in a car or hop on a bus—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: —the support they need to keep appointments, do their shopping and catch up with friends. Madam Speaker, I suggest to people that, if they think the member for Bragg is rude in this house, they should get letters from her and see what they are like. Just have a read of some of her correspondence. It is off the Richter scale. The value of friendship—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Davenport will be quiet.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: The value of friendship can never be underestimated, particularly as we get older. Circle of Friends, a project run by St John Ambulance in South Australia, has done a wonderful job in supporting around 60 South Australian seniors to meet like-minded people and establish and maintain social connections. The sum of $88,483 per annum in new recurrent HACC funding will ensure this program continues.

To the average person, HACC might sound just like another Public Service acronym but, for thousands upon thousands of South Australians, it does mean something, and something significant. It makes an enormous difference to their lives.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Bragg!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Get on your feet and ask a question and I will answer it.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Do you want me to read your letter to the house so they know the tone of your correspondence?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! There are quarrels across the floor. They are not allowed. Go out in the corridor if you want to quarrel. The Leader of the Opposition.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Bragg, be quiet! The Leader of the Opposition.

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