Seniors Services

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-129042

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Seniors Services

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (15:15:23):

My question is addressed to the Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Seniors. Will the Minister update the House on how the Liberals and Nationals are delivering for seniors across the State?

The SPEAKER:

I call the Minister for Seniors.

Mr Anoulack Chanthivong:

Stand up, Mark!

The SPEAKER:

Order! I place the member for Macquarie Fields on two calls to order. I have expressly asked members not to make those sorts of comments.

Mr MARK COURE (OatleyMinister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Seniors) (15:16:04):

— I thank the member for North Shore for her question. What an outstanding member she is. This Government's priority is to ensure seniors across our great State can access the best possible services to live active and healthy lives. Unlike those opposite, we have the ideas and the policies to do this.

Ms Jodie Harrison:

That's why you cut the aged care commissioner's budget.

Mr MARK COURE:

I will get to the member in a second, I promise. From the newly established Energy Bill Buster program to the Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors program, we put our words into action to create a brighter future for seniors across New South Wales. While the Federal Government is cutting support for seniors, here in New South Wales we are ensuring that no-one is left behind. Can someone wake up the member for Prospect?

This year the Federal Albanese Government decided to end the program to provide free rapid antigen testing kits through the concessional access program. No consideration was given to those seniors who still needed those tests or the financial impact it would have on them. However, thankfully this Government stepped in. We took on another responsibility of the Federal Government to support vulnerable people, including our seniors, in accessing free rapid antigen testing kits. We expanded our own program to provide Commonwealth concession cardholders in New South Wales access to 10 rapid antigen testing kits over three months until 31 October 2022.

Recently I was pleased to announce that we extended this program up until 31 January 2023. I know this move by our Government was appreciated by all members in this Chamber, including the member for Charlestown, who I am told is the shadow Minister for Seniors. She loved this announcement so much that she promoted it on her Facebook page—not once, not twice but three times. I commend the shadow Minister for Seniors for rising above politics and backing in this great policy. Without any policies of their own, who can blame those opposite for backing ours? This Government is able to support the people of New South Wales and step up where the Federal Government has failed. We are delivering better hospitals, stronger schools and caring for the most vulnerable.