The Minister for Aged Care and Sport, Anika Wells, flew to Paris for the Olympic Games on Monday for a series of "diplomatic discussions" and to gather "key intel" to help with planning and delivery of the 2032 Brisbane Games.
The Minister, the Member for Brisbane's Lilley, will be in Paris and Marseille, in the south of France, until 28 July 2024. Paris is the heart of the 2024 Olympic Games and Marseille has the Marseille Marina Olympic Park where there are the sailing events. The city will also be hosting some of the Olympic football matches at the Stade Vélodrome. The Australian Parliament resumes on 12 August.
She leaves with the aged care sector finding staff shortages are making it nearly impossible for providers to meet mandatory care targets, forcing them to resort to expensive agency staff, and driving some to the wall. 50% of aged care homes are operating at a loss, and 68,000 older Australians waiting for a home care package at their assessed level of need. The sector is also waiting on tenterhooks for the Government's response to the Aged Care Taskforce recommendations, and the Government's new Aged Care Act is still incomplete but set to take effect in less than 12 months' time.
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In France, the Minister will speak at UNESCO Change the Game conference, take part in the Australian Olympic Flag Bearers announcement, attend the Opening Ceremony, and go to various sporting events.
She will also represent Australia at the 11th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting and hold discussions with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee.
“I’ll be taking every opportunity I can to support our athletes while I’m in Paris, and I also have an important schedule of meetings that will help us prepare for a gold medal Olympics in Brisbane in 2032 while discussing the equality and safety in sport measures Australia is pioneering," Minister Well said.
“Paris 2024 will produce incredible moments for Australian athletes and highlight how Brisbane 2032 will be monumental event for our nation.”
AMBITION FOR AGED CARE: Anika Wells address National Press Club
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