Senator HUTCHINS —My question is directed to Senator Herron, the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care. Can the minister confirm that the coalition came to power with a major performance target in aged care to reduce waiting times? Is the minister aware that the annual report of the Department of Health and Aged Care shows a 36 per cent increase in waiting times for residential aged care over the last two years, now rising to an average of 68 days?

Senator HERRON (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs) —Madam President—

Senator Schacht —You had better stick to your brief on this one.

The PRESIDENT —Senator Schacht, your behaviour throughout question time has been unacceptable and disorderly.

Senator Schacht —I was just trying to assist the minister.

The PRESIDENT —You are not required to assist the minister and you should not do so.

Senator HERRON —I do not believe that I have the specifics in relation to the question that Senator Hutchins asked.

Senator Faulkner —It's a pretty important one.

Senator HERRON —All questions are important. It is an important question when you consider the shambles aged care in this country was left in when we came into government after 13 years of Labor rule. I thank Senator Faulkner for the interjection. It is a very important question. We were left with this legacy of deficit which we have tried to clean up in three years. We have injected a significant amount of funds into aged care—far more than was injected in the three years prior to our coming to government. We have injected a massive increase of funds.

I accept Senator Hutchins's suggestions that perhaps there is an increase in waiting times. But in a rapidly ageing population, Senator Hutchins, what do you expect? Only seven per cent of the population of this country actually access accommodation; 93 per cent stay in their homes and are looked after by relatives or by—

Senator Faulkner interjecting—

Senator HERRON —Senator Faulkner asked about the question. I am answering the question by putting it in context, and the context is that we have a strategy that we are putting into place. We are injecting a large sum of money; we have had a much greater increase of funds into aged care than was put in by the Labor Party when they were in power. We inherited an enormous deficit. We have a rapidly ageing population. I do not accept those figures entirely because I do not have the brief here to see where it came from. I will get back to Senator Hutchins with an answer to that question when I go to the minister.

Senator HUTCHINS —Madam President, I ask a supplementary question. If I can assist the minister: on page 226 of the department's report, it quotes clearly that there was an increase in the waiting period from 1997-98 of 50 days to 1998-99 of 68 days. Isn't it a fact that this 36 per cent increase in waiting time for residential aged care over the last two years is undeniable evidence of the failure of this government's aged care reforms? Further, despite all the attempts to explain away this increase, isn't it a fact that older Australians now must somehow struggle to remain in the community longer while they desperately search for, on average, over two months for a nursing home bed?

Senator HERRON (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs) —The percentage increase is not valid. There is not 100 in that figure in terms of 50 to 68. I acknowledged in the previous answer that there may be an increase in the demand. I see here that the forecast is a growth rate of 2.7 per cent per annum for the next 15 years as a result of the growth of the ageing population.

So what do you expect with the growth in the ageing population? There will be increasing demand. We are trying to correct the mistakes of the previous Labor government by injecting a large sum of money. The forecast is that that growth will increase. Any age group over the age of 65 is outstripping the other age groups in the population. They are the demographics of the population.

Senator Faulkner —Can you try and be serious?

Senator HERRON —If Senator Faulkner listened to it, he would try to understand it instead of interjecting. (Time expired)