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ASSISTANT Minister for Social Services Mitch Fifield joined Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic and a full room of stakeholders in Launceston yesterday to officially open a new aged care wing at Masonic Peace Haven.
Wellington Apartment is a 16-bedroom residential wing with dining and lounge areas, a kitchenette, communications facilities and an outdoor garden.
The new wing is the first in a number of developments planned for the site in the next three years.
The reconstruction was made possible through a $5 million federal government grant, a $4million zero-interest loan and an undisclosed bequest.
Senator Fifield said supporting aged care was part of the core business of government.
"That is providing a little bit of help for people who face some extra challenges for reasons beyond their control," he said.
"The facility that we're opening today is a small manifestation of part of that."
Senator Fifield said it was terrific to stand beside Mr Nikolic to open the facility.
"This is the government giving back to the community money they themselves have contributed in taxes," he said.
Senator Fifield said responding to an ageing population was a key concern for government.
"There's going to be a greater need for both residential care and also support to help people age at home," he said.
Mr Nikolic said new bedrooms in the wing were of world-class quality.
"It's a wonderful extension to what is a wonderful facility," Mr Nikolic said.
"They provide individualised consideration for people in the later years of their life."
"That mix of good quality infrastructure and good quality care is a wonderful outcome for our senior Australians."