By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CHESTNUT Gardens Aged Care Home could be sold under the State Government’s plan to remove $75 million from public sector aged care.
The Doveton facility may be affeced by the aged care reduction which was outlined last year in the Government’s state budget update.
Shadow Minister for Seniors and Ageing Jenny Mikakos, who toured the facility with Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan to launch a petition on the issue, said the move towards privatisation would limit Victorian families.
“The residents at Chestnut Gardens and their families have been left in the dark by Mr Napthine, who hasn’t been upfront with them about whether their bed will be sold off,” she said.
“Mr Napthine’s plans to privatise aged care will limit choice for those living in outer suburban areas like Doveton, which could lead to people paying more or having to move to another area.”
Mr Donnellan also weighed in on Dr Napthine’s privatisation plans, following the closures already of facilities in Ballarat, Koroit, Williamstown and Castlemaine.
“Under the Coalition, the Public Residential Aged Care Sector has shrunk by 284 beds – despite Victoria’s ageing population,” he said.
“I am very concerned that Chestnut Gardens will be next.”
A government spokesperson said no decision had yet been made on Chestnut Gardens.
“This initiative will be a measured reallocation of a number of metropolitan public sector residential aged care places to the non-government sector,” the spokesperson said.
“No decisions have been made about individual sites.”
