Opposition Leader and Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten has urged local residents concerned about the Abbott Government’s axing of the Dementia and Severe Behaviours Supplement (DSBS) to continue their fight against the cut.

 

Mr Shorten said that many local residents had been in contact to raise their concerns about the impact of the Government’s decision.

 

“Our community is rightfully angry about the Abbott Government’s decision to abandon people living with dementia,” he said.

 

“People from across the electorate have been in contact to say that this is wrong and the Abbott Government needs restore the supplement.”

 

Mr Shorten said the supplement, which gives aged care providers funding to support patients living with dementia, had ended from 1 August 2014.

 

“The Abbott Government’s decision came without prior warning and has completely left local providers, patients and their families in the lurch,” he said.

 

“Instead of meeting with and listening to providers and stakeholders, they have just washed their hands of it and walked away.”

 

Mr Shorten said that local residents wishing to take a stand against Tony Abbott’s axing of the DSBS should the sign the petition at: www.alp.org.au/dementia.