The aged care industry today called on the Government to clarify and confirm the

eligibility of aged care services for the insulation and solar hot water rebates.

Greg Mundy CEO of Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) stated: "Aged

care homes are just that, people's homes, and residents in them should be treated in

the same way as other Australians."

"It would be unfair if frail older Australians living in aged care homes were not treated

as well as people living in other forms of accommodation." Mundy added.

"The insulation and solar hot water rebates should be available on a per resident

basis and paid to aged care facilities as they would be to landlords for rented

accommodation."

"We presume that this was Minister Elliot's intent on Wednesday when she urged

aged care homes to apply for the $1600 Solar Hot Water rebate and the $1,000

insulation rebate."

This could help many older aged care homes without insulation to become more

energy efficient and improve the comfort of their residents.

There now seems to be some confusion about the eligibility of aged care homes to

apply for these rebates which will cause anxiety until the Minister's intent is re-

affirmed.

Responses to Opposition questions in the Senate Estimates process appear to cast

doubt on the Government's intent in this regard.

"This was presumably the thinking behind Minister Elliot's statement - which we

applaud. It is something that should be strongly supported.

"The Australian Government now needs to confirm this approach and put an end to

the confusion surrounding this matter," said Mundy.