My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Child Protection and Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, the Honourable Luke Donnellan. My question relates to the minister’s portfolio responsibilities for disability, ageing and carers. The COVID-19 pandemic represents the most significant challenge to Australia’s economy, the impact of which will last for decades. As industries and businesses find new and innovative ways to adapt, the Victorian government is rolling up its sleeves and playing its part to drive new economic activity and with it create thousands of new jobs across the state. The government has launched the first part of the Building Works package, which will provide $2.7 billion towards shovel-ready projects, big and small, to get thousands of people back to work. As part of this effort the public sector residential aged-care services across our state will also benefit. My question to the minister is: can the minister advise if aged-care facilities in my area of Western Metropolitan Region will also benefit from this boost?
RESPONSE:
Mr DONNELLAN (Narre Warren North—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers) (18 March 2021):
The Andrews Labor Government is committed to supporting strong public sector residential aged care services through building and upgrading aged care facilities to support older Victorians.
Since December 2014 this Government has invested more than $370 million for capital improvements for public aged care across the state and $170.9 million worth of projects are currently being developed in the Victorian public sector aged care sector.
Stimulus funding designed to boost economic activity in response to COVID-19 includes $20 million for maintenance and upgrades to improve resident and staff amenity, accessibility, building fabric and associated infrastructure at 33 facilities across Victoria.
This boost will cover Western Metropolitan Region through Cyril Jewell House, Keilor East run by Melbourne Health which has been allocated $858,200.