Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Wantirna aged care facility

Mr TAYLOR (Bayswater) (19:02): (6217) I wish to raise a matter with the Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers. The action I seek is for the minister to update my community on the progress of the new public sector residential aged care facility that the Andrews Labor government is building in Wantirna, and in particular what local opportunities have been created during construction and, importantly, what ongoing employment opportunities it will provide for locals. I am very proud of this government’s record when it comes to public aged care in this state. I am very proud that locally we are delivering a new $81.58 million—decimals are important—120-bed, state-of-the-art public aged care facility right in the heart of Wantirna in the community that I very proudly represent. No doubt many of you and those in my community have heard me wax lyrical about it to no end, but if you have seen it up close like I have, you know why I am absolutely stoked about this incredible facility being delivered. It is next level—it absolutely is—and it is a great example of the Andrews Labor government’s commitment to providing first-class health care locally.

This government has also made record-breaking investments in more nurses, more doctors, more ambos, more allied health professionals and more midwives to ensure that every Victorian is cared for when they need it most. Recently we announced a further $1.4 billion to support the ongoing omicron response—for more ambos, respiratory clinics and PPE to ensure Victorians of course get the support where and when they need it.

This new state-of-the-art four-storey building will be complete in the next couple of months, which is exciting, and will ensure locals can age in place and age with dignity in spacious rooms, each with its own ensuite. An integral part of this project has been the creation of good, paying jobs, and with cranes in the sky and boots on the ground there have been plenty of construction and build-related jobs. I know my community will be very keen to hear more detail on the ongoing jobs at the new site. I am very proud that we have delivered on this commitment, and I thank the minister for his consideration of this matter.