This was one of the major discussion points when Nationals Duty Senator for NSW John Williams visited Scone and the Upper Hunter last week. 

Senator Williams was in town on Tuesday and Wednesday when he was given guided tours of Strathearn and Murravale Aged Care facilities, the Upper Hunter Early Learning Centre and Hunter Valley Quality Meats, as well as studying the plans for the Scone railway level crossing with the Nationals Candidate for the Hunter and Upper Hunter Shire mayor Michael Johnsen. 

Of the major issues on the table was the aged care funding model and its flaws in providing security to the ageing local population. 

According to Cr Johnsen, the principle of user pays is fine, but the practice for smaller rural towns is very different with the biggest issue being the bond that needs to be paid. 

“For someone in the city or higher population areas, the bond is often covered by the sale of their home and when you look at an average house price in a major city of well over $500,000, that will cover the required bond. 

“In a small rural town, house prices are simply not that high and most people cannot sell their home for an amount sufficient to pay the required bond,” Cr Johnsen said. 

“That does not mean the aged care facility will say no to a new resident if they need care, rather, the facility takes on the cost and does not receive enough to cover the true running costs.

“Something needs to change and whilst the current Federal Government inherited this, they are now in a position to do               something about it. 

“Ultimately, the rules for smaller rural towns need to be different to those in large population areas as we cannot allow the older members of our community suffer the real prospect of having to move away from their friend and family networks and the security of familiarity.”

According to Senator Williams, red tape, burdensome regulations, viability problems and the need for funding were the obvious political issues he faced in the area. 

Senator Williams said he was particularly impressed with the vision of Hunter Valley Quality Meats which is a major employer and major contributor to the Scone economy, and the excellent care being afforded the elderly at the aged care facilities and the childhood centre. 

He said as a member of the government he can take concerns back to ministers and he will be doing that when parliament resumes next week.

He thanked the mayor of the  Upper Hunter Shire Council Michael Johnsen for keeping him abreast of issues and facilitating the meetings.