Mr DEAN (Windermere) - Mr President, I take this opportunity to share with you information about a partnership entered into by the Launceston Presbyterian Homes for the Aged and the Institute of TAFE Tasmania learning centre. As we are all aware, the aged population is the fastest-growing population area. In fact, the Tasmanian Plan for Positive Ageing 2000-05, published in 1999, the International Year of the Older Person, states:

'Like the rest of Australia, the population in Tasmania is undergoing a major shift. Currently in Tasmania there are about 75,000 people over the age of 60 years, which is around one in every six Tasmanians. By the year 2021, this proportion of people over 60 years is expected to increase to one in every four Tasmanians.'

That is a significant increase. Further to that, the ABS states in population projections for Tasmania 1999-2021 of the very old population, that -

'At 30 June 1999, the population aged 85 years and over was relatively small, at 6,400, but it is projected to experience the highest growth rates of all groups within the population.'

They go on to say:

'… this group's size is projected to almost double by 30 June 2021 to between 11,600 and 12,000 (almost 3% of the total population). Growth of this magnitude has important implications for the provision of health services and appropriate housing, given that non-private dwellings are the most common form of housing for people in this age group.'

Staff shortages and inadequate skilling of staff are already being experienced in this category of nursing. It takes a very special person to cater for and care for the elderly domiciled in aged homes. These staff are admired by me and I think would be by every person who has had an elderly relative or close friend being cared for in such a home. These staff develop, in the main, a very strong bond with their elderly patients. We should also remember that it is not an easy task to care for elderly people because at times they can become demanding, some become quite irritable, and can't we all when we are not feeling well or we have just had one of those days when we do not get our own way, which frequently happens with quite a number - and I look to my left when I make that comment. At times these people can become quite violent, Mr President, as we all know.

The background to the partnership that I am talking about: the partnership was necessary to address a dearth of employees and trainers in this area, and accordingly the Launceston Presbyterian Homes and TAFE Tasmania have become partners in addressing this area of concern. In recognising the respective strengths of each other's organisation, Launceston Presbyterian Homes and TAFE Tasmania signed a memorandum of understanding in June 2003 to develop a mutually supportive partnership through the opening of a learning centre at the home's Norwood site.

Launceston Presbyterian Homes sees the partnership as an opportunity to become even better at what they do by developing into an organisation that not only values learning but where learning becomes a part of their culture. Mr President, through the partnership, TAFE Tasmania aims to strengthen relationships with the aged-care industry through working directly in a workplace. This will ensure that TAFE is constantly in tune with the needs and demands of the industry.

I just want to refer to some of the initiatives. TAFE Tasmania has conducted a training-needs analysis for staff of the Launceston Presbyterian Homes. Launceston Presbyterian Homes have implemented four new personal care assistant positions, and these are known as 'preceptors'. These staff have been trained by TAFE Tasmania to conduct on?the?job training and assessment tasks. Preceptors, working with the support of TAFE Tasmania staff, have roles in training new staff, Mr President, recognising the skills of existing staff, which is much needed, in my opinion, and the upgrading of skills of the existing staff - once again an area, in my view, that needs attention. All of that is done on the job, it is done as part of the job.

Staff of the Launceston Presbyterian Homes have the opportunity to undertake training, assessment and recognition toward nationally accredited qualifications in aged care, issued by TAFE Tasmania. TAFE Tasmania students who are not yet employed have the opportunity to gain work experience at the Launceston Presbyterian Homes, and that is a great move. A joint Launceston Presbyterian Homes-TAFE Tasmania steering committee has been formed to oversee the operation -

Mr PRESIDENT - Order. The honourable member's time has expired.

Mr DEAN - Mr President, I had one short moment to go in conclusion.

Mr PRESIDENT - Please proceed if it is very short.

Mr DEAN - In conclusion, TAFE Tasmania graduates undertook a significant part of their training in the workplaces, and this compares with just 3.1 per cent in 1998. Our understanding of the importance of the workplace as a contact for important learning has evolved quickly over the last few years. Mr President, I think you were present at the first inauguration of the trainees that went through that complex, and I think you also would have seen the value of what is happening in that Presbyterian home. It is a great concept and is supportive. Thank you, Mr President.