A Shorten Labor Government will provide the resources necessary for key investments in aged care centres servicing ethnic communities throughout Australia, by establishing the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Aged Care Fund.

The CALD Aged Care Fund will provide funding towards new facilities, and for upgrades and improvements to existing facilities that service ethnic communities throughout Australia.

Many Australians as they age, even if they have been completely proficient in the English language during their working life, will largely return to the language of their heritage.

This Fund, will support aged care facilities which ensure older Australians from CALD backgrounds are in an environment where the language, food and surroundings are familiar.

This builds on our announced ageing strategy and is about ensuring dignity in aged care for every Australian. 

Older Australians from CALD backgrounds also experience particular challenges with dementia, and this fund will build upon our announced dementia package.

Labor will provide $30 million over four years for this Fund, which has been provided for from an existing allocation in Labor’s Fiscal Plan.

MONDAY, 27 JUNE 2016