Q. In your opinion, who is most responsible for the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

• Responsibility for the outbreaks in aged care is shared between Federal and state governments, an aged care providers. Consistent with results a fortnight ago, 42% say the providers hold the most responsibility (42% in last poll), 31% identify the Federal government (no change from 28%) and 28% the state governments (from 30%).
• Women, people aged over 55 and Coalition voters are most likely to hold aged care providers responsible, while Labor voters are more likely to say the Federal government has the most responsibility (42%).

Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

• Perceptions of the causes of the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities are consistent with previous results. A majority of people believe that there was insufficient preparation from authorities (77% agreement) and that long-term underfunding of aged care facilities has worsened the impact (72%)
• Similar numbers also agree that the hygiene and care standards in private care homes has contributed to the spread of (69%) and that community transmission from friends and families of residents has also contributed to the spread (67%).

Q. It has been proposed that the Medicare levy could be increased from 2% to 2.65% to fund improvements to the aged care sector.

To what extent would you support or oppose this increase?

• The proposal to increase the Medicare levy to help fund the aged care sector could be a polarising issue for Australians. Similar proportions say they support (36%) and oppose (32%) the proposal
• Support for increasing the levy is highest mong those aged over 55 years (44%).
• There is net support among voters of the two major parties – 41% support, 28% opposition among Labor voters and 41% support, 31% oppose among Coalition voters). Those voting for minor, or independent candidates generally oppose the proposal (51% oppose, 21% support).

Q. In your opinion, who is most responsible for the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

• Similar proportions of people attribute responsibility to the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities to Federal (28%) and state (30%) governments. However more (42%) place the responsibility on the providers of aged care.
• Men are more likely than women to say the Federal government is responsible (32% to 24%).
• Coalition voters are least likely to believe the Federal government is responsible for the outbreaks of Covid-19 within aged care facilities (25%).

Q. As far as you are aware, who is responsible for regulation and funding of private aged care facilities?

• About half of people correctly know that the Federal Government is responsible for the regulation and funding of private aged care facilities.

Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

• There is acknowledgement in the community of a range of factors that have contributed to the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities. A majority of people believe that there was insufficient preparation from authorities (77% agreement) and that long-term underfunding of aged care facilities has worsened the impact.
• Similar numbers also agree that the hygiene and care standards in private care homes has contributed to the spread of (71%) and that community transmission from friends and families of residents has also contributed to the spread (67%).

Q. The Federal Government are proposing to implement a number of reforms , which will require funding of billions of dollars. Which of the following reforms do you think is most important?

31% think that the Government’s most important proposed reform is extra school funding as recommended by the Gonski Review and 29% favour increased resources for aged care.

Extra school, funding is supported more by Labor voters, (35%), Greens voters (41%) and those aged under 45 (40%).

Increased resources for aged care is favoured by Liberal/National voters (37%) and those aged 45+ (42%).

Ken Morrison says our cities need to be transformed for our ageing population – and it’s not solely about nursing homes.

By 2050 Australia will have a population of 35 million – almost a quarter of whom will be over 65. And while we are ageing, our cities are growing. It’s not just aged care facilities and health care which will be under pressure but our cities as a whole — transport, outdoor spaces, housing, information access and security.

The Property Council’s Ken Morrison tells 3Q the problem is not isolated to the lack of nursing home places. With a declining tax base and a burgeoning number of elderly, the pressures on all tiers of government will be immense which is why making cities function now is more important than ever.
Read his blog about age friendly cities.

As the Government promotes its policy of the elderly staying in their homes for longer, the Property Council is part of an organisation lobbying for all new homes to be built to universal design standards by 2020.

Read about the partnership between the Property Council, government and other organisations.

By building a house to last its occupants’ lifetimes, despite illness or disability, we will all be able to live independently for longer. Universal design ideas are already being implemented in Japan, Britain, Canada and Norway.