Media Release

KAP Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter met with the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care this week in Canberra to ask why Warrina Aged Care Home has been abandoned by the Federal Government in its third unsuccessful application for funding.

Mr Katter said, “We took up with the Minister the issue of Warrina Home. The Government has prioritised other homes with much weaker cases than the strong case that Warrina has for funding.

“The hard realities are that arguably 3000 people in North Queensland seek residence each year in these homes, whereas probably only 1000 people are dying in the homes. It would seem that only 300 beds each year are being supplied into a market that demands 2000 beds.

“Both the Mayor John Kremastos and Peter Roberts, Warrina Home CEO have quoted cases where mothers, fathers, loved ones have had to go to homes away from Innisfail.

“We told the Minister that we are determined to see that Warrina gets a square deal which they are not getting now. It is one of the two biggest employers in Innisfail and looking after our ageing is, as it should be, one of the biggest industries in any community.”

Mr Katter expects an answer from the Health Minister’s office before Christmas.

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