Public Documents and Legislation: Editorial Comment

On 14th September, 1972, the Minister for Social Services introduced into the House of Representatives “A Bill for an Act to provide for assistance by the Commonwealth towards the provision by certain Organizations of Hostels as Homes for Aged Persons”. This Bill, now enacted into law, was the logical extension of a process which began as an election promise in 1954 by offering a 1: 1 subsidy for the building of approved homes for the aged. The subsidy was increased to 2 : 1 in 1957 and the latest provision offers money to approved homes without requiring any contribution from them.