Aged care inquiry ‘snub’

A LANDMARK national inquiry into aged care will have only an afternoon “forum” in Townsville instead of holding a three-day hearing in Northern Australia’s largest city.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has held numerous hearings, going for more than a day, in regional centres, including Cairns, Darwin and Broome, but will hold only a “community forum” in Townsville today from 1.30-4pm.

Asked why Townsville had not been afforded the same opportunity to be heard, a spokeswoman for the commission said they had “limited time within which to conduct its hearings” and could only visit a “limited number” of places in Australia.

Townsville MP Scott Stewart labelled the snub a “slap in the face”.

“Why wouldn’t this come commission here to the largest city, with the largest population, bigger than Darwin or Cairns, is completely beyond belief,” he said.

“I think it really shows absolute disrespect to the people of North Queensland … if this is not a slap in the face I don’t know what is.”

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson said he was “disappointed” to hear the commission would only be in town for 2½ hours due to a lack of time.

“I have spoken to service providers who say they will be given only five minutes to speak and that there is not enough time,” he said.

“I think everyone should be given equal opportunity to speak … and sadly that hasn’t occurred.”

Mr Thompson called on the commission to consider using future hearing dates to return to Townsville because a forum “simply wasn’t enough”.

Seniors Minister Coralee O’rourke said she was “especially disappointed” by the notion the commission did not have enough time when there had been time to have a hearing in Broome, with a population of 14,000.

“(Townsville is) home to some 180,000 people, locals deserved to have a day that put their stories solely in the spotlight,” she said.

“A 2½-hour community forum simply does not give enough credence to the many experiences, views and stories locals here in North Queensland have regarding our aged care sector.” She encouraged those who wished to have their say to make a submission to the royal commission.

Peak seniors lobby group Queensland Council on the Ageing chief executive Mark Tucker-evans said it was important for the royal commission to understand the situation in regional areas.

“We would be supportive of the royal commission considering spending their time in Townsville to listen to not only people in Townsville but in surrounding areas,” he said.