The Australian Greens said today that the Government would be delivering a ‘fake surplus’ if the May budget does not provide investment for aged care and disability reform.

“By not addressing these key areas, any surplus delivered by the Government comes at the expense of vulnerable people,” Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Ageing said today.

“There is an urgent need for aged care reform in Australia, as was highlighted yet again over the weekend.

“It is essential that the budget includes a down payment on a longer term plan for reform of the sector.

“But the Government also needs to address the immediate crisis in aged care.

“If funding isn't injected into the aged care system in the May budget, it is likely that we will see some providers being unable to survive. Such an outcome would make access to aged care even more difficult.

“The failure of the last few aged care funding rounds mean that there simply will not be enough infrastructure in Western Australia to meet demand. Additional funding in both residential care and community care is urgently needed.

“A surplus that is achieved by ignoring the aged care crisis simply isn't a true surplus. It is a fake surplus created by the Government as it delays essential investment to the detriment of those in need,” Senator Siewert concluded.