MEALS on Wheels volunteers, coordinators and clients concerned about proposed major cost increases will meet the federal minister responsible today at Berry.
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Organiser of an aged care public forum, Coalition backbencher and Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis does not believe the government understands Meals on Wheels' role in regional areas.
Assistant Social Services Minister Mitch Fifield will attend the forum, starting at 11 o’clock at the Berry School of Arts.
From midday the forum will include a dedicated session on the changes to Meals on Wheels.
Southern Shoalhaven Meals on Wheels manager Julie Howe will attend with any volunteers and clients who want to go.
Ms Howe has submitted questions at Mrs Sudmalis’ request to ensure they are put to Senator Fifield during a Q and A session.
Ms Howe and the Southern Shoalhaven Meals on Wheels management committee recently briefed Mrs Sudmalis in Ulladulla on heavily increased costs proposed for the service from July 1.
Senator Fifield has promised a safety net, saying the fees policy would include hardship provisions and discounts for pensioners and part pensioners but Mrs Sudmalis had vowed to send him every email from affected community members “to make sure he understands” their despair.
The Ulladulla management committee says “outrageous” proposals as part of a new nationally standardised Commonwealth Home Support Program will hike food and social support costs between three and ten times and destroy the service.
Meals on Wheels has been operating in Australia since 1952.
