Ageing Australia welcomes the Albanese Government’s cut to the fuel excise as a welcome move to support older Australians and the people who care for them during the ongoing fuel crisis.
The Government will cut the fuel excise by 26 cents a litre as well as removing road user charges after calls for support from Ageing Australia and other groups.
“This is a welcome move by the federal Government to support sectors under enormous pressure,” said Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson.
“Older Australians rely on providers to deliver food and care into their own homes, but the fuel crisis is causing unprecedented financial pain. Quite simply aged care workers can’t deliver care if they can’t afford the petrol to get to work.”
“Residential aged care is also feeling the effects. We know of cases where workers aren’t taking up shifts just because they can’t afford the petrol to get there. The problems are even worse in remote and regional areas.”
“As well as the Federal Government, we have been meeting with state and federal Governments over the past month to advocate for urgent, targeted support.”
Proposed measures include prioritised access to fuel for aged care providers and workers, exemption from any rationing measures, if imposed, and targeted financial support for providers and their workers to manage the huge increase in the cost of fuel and to maintain services across the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Support at Home and residential aged care.
“We can’t afford for the pumps to run dry, because older people won’t get the care they need.”
Media contact: Peter O’Dempsey
About Ageing Australia:
Ageing Australia is the national organisation representing all providers of aged care and housing to older Australians.
