LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has described himself as “bitterly disappointed” that the Mossman District Nursing Home Inc. has again missed out on the funding and licences it needs to progress the building of a much-needed aged care facility in Mossman.
“If there was ever an organisation and proposal that deserved to be successful, this is it,” Mr Entsch said today.
“You can see by the number of submissions that were put forward in support of this proposal that there is a real need for an aged care facility in Mossman.
“It ticks all the boxes in that it gives local indigenous elders a place to pass on country, it means that families don’t have to travel to Cairns to visit elderly family members, and it recognises that while there is an aged care facility in Port Douglas, these two communities are quite different.”
Mr Entsch said the amounts of funding that the MDNHI was seeking a $7.5 million capital grant and $5 million zero interest loan from the Department of Health and Ageing were not excessive or unreasonable amounts to ask for.
“When you look at the amount of money this Labor government has wasted, while at the same time the aged members of the Douglas community struggle to receive the care they need, it’s a disgrace,” he commented.
“This is another setback but I’ll continue to support Marj Norris, the MDNHI committee and the Salvation Army Aged Care Plus in gaining the beds and funding they need to move forward.”
