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INDEPENDENT candidate for Calare Anthony Craig will be leading a rally in Lithgow’s Main Street on Monday in an effort to draw attention to billion dollar budget cuts to aged care.
The Federal Government has come under fire recently from many in the aged care sector who believe the cuts will be disastrous for the welfare of the region’s senior citizens.
Mr Craig, a former paramedic and nurse at Lithgow Aged Care, has been campaigning for the rights of senior citizens throughout the central west in recent months and has gained support from many in the aged care sector.
“The reason for this rally is both the major parties support $1-2 billion cuts to aged care,” he said.
“It will be a disaster for the sector, local jobs and small country communities across Australia, as not for profit providers will not be able to maintain staffing levels and quality care with the cuts.”
Aged care providers in Lithgow have claimed that the changes will result in significant job losses in the sector while also reducing the level of care they are capable of providing.
Leading Age Services Australia said the budget cuts would affect both aged care providers and people in need of complex medical needs.
“The detrimental impact of these changes will not only affect providers, but people whose high care needs are being reclassified by a government that clearly sees them as a financial burden.”
The cuts to the aged care sector will commence from July 1 and Mr Craig hopes that the rally will help draw attention to the issue.
“This is a crisis coming and it must be reversed,” he said.
“This policy decision means our most needy in the community mean nothing to them.
“Our senior citizens deserve much more than this.”
Mr Craig also drew attention to substantial donations made to the major parties by larger aged care companies in the lead up to the election.
“It’s interesting to note that large aged care companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange have given significant political donations to both the Liberal-Nationals and the ALP,” he said.
“We need to find out why, and what influence those donations have made to deregulate the industry.”
The Lithgow Aged Care Rally will commence at 10am on June 27 and begin at the top end of Main Street.
“All carers, registered nurses, aged care residents and families are welcome to attend and voice their opposition,” Mr Craig said