Derryn Hinch campaigns for improved food in aged care

Running for a return to the senate, the outspoken Derryn Hinch is campaigning for better deals for aged care and agriculture.

Prisoners have easier access to milk than aged care residents, according to Derryn Hinch.

And if he’s re-elected as a crossbench senator this weekend, the famed broadcaster said one of his priorities is to use his upper house influence to improve living standards for the elderly in care homes.

It’s hardly empty rhetoric from the former politician, given he was one of the leading proponents of establishing the Royal Commission into Aged Care during his time in Canberra between 2016 and 2019.

Derryn Hinch is making a bid for another go in the Upper House. Picture: Jason Edwards

“The Royal Commission exposed how seriously underfunded aged care in this country is. It found the average spend in aged care per person, per day for food was $6.07. Just appalling,” the Victorian senate candidate said.

Famously jailed for contempt of court as a broadcaster on several occasions, Mr Hinch said culinary standards in prison were markedly higher — particularly when it came to milk.

“The average spend on food for prisoners is $8 to $9 and all the milk you want,” he said.

“But if you’re in aged care, you’re on strict rations. We spend billions on aged care but it’s not adequately monitored and regulated — the money gets siphoned off to management. If I’m elected, one of my priorities will be to lift the standards of food in aged care. It would be a win for farmers, a win for the elderly.”

Both the Coalition and Labor have come under fire in recent weeks from regional leaders over a lack of agricultural policy during the campaign.

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said if the Coalition is re-elected, $1.034 million will be allocated to improve dairy industry efficiency and transparency.

Labor and the Coalition have both committed to holding a second dairy industry symposium if elected on Saturday. The first was held in 2016 after the Murray Goulburn/Fonterra clawback.