Improvements to the My Aged Care website have been made to provide easier access to the online portal for older Australians.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the My Aged Care website and it’s helpline were key resources for delivering care to those who need it most.

“The helpline has a strong record of answering calls quickly with unanswered calls dropping below two per cent in 2019-2020,” Mr Vasta said.

“With improvements to our helpline and online portal, we’re now exploring opportunities for further face-to-face support.”

Minister for Aged Care Richard Colbeck MP said the department was also exploring new support opportunities so there was no wrong door to access aged care services.

“In 2018-19, over 440,000 face-to-face assessments were completed to support older Australians, so we’re exploring opportunities for further face-to-face support to be provided through a wider range of community organisations,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Elderly and senior Australians deserve the highest possible standards and practices when it comes to delivering care and offering families’ peace of mind.“We will continue to implement changes and remain focused as the important work of the Royal Commission continues and anticipate its final recommendations on November 12.”

For more information visit www.myagedcare.gov.au

The Morrison Government has launched a new education campaign targeted at parents of young children to help boost low vaccination rates.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said although almost 95 percent of five-year-old children were vaccinated in Australia, there were areas where the immunisation rate was too low.

“The ‘Get the Facts about Immunisation’ campaign will help parents access evidence-based information to support their decision making about childhood vaccinations,” Mr Vasta said.

“The science is proven and the medical experts’ advice is absolute – vaccinations save and protect lives and are essential to a healthy society.

“Skipping or delaying vaccinations puts children and those around them at risk of catching serious diseases.  “It’s important children receive their vaccine on time, every time, for the best protection.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged five years are above the National Immunisation Target at 96.87 percent as a direct result of a micro-targeting advertising campaign.

“I am confident this campaign will boost immunisation rates across the country to the national target of 95 percent,” Mr Vasta said.

The eight week campaign will run nationally on television for the first time, supported by a range of online channels.

For more information visit immunisation coverage rates