MARCH 24, 2016: Older Australians will benefit from a substantial increase in funding for aged care services, with 123 new places approved in my electorate.There is a strong demand for aged care in Mackay and these additional places are essential in ensuring our elderly receive the quality care they deserve.In Mackay: 100 new residential aged care places to be provided by Ozcare Mackay, at a new facility yet to be built.This equates to $6,200,000 in funding as the value of one residential care place is $62,000.In Proserpine: 16 additional residential care places approved for the Proserpine Nursing Home.This equates to $992,000 in funding.In the Burdekin: 7 additional home care places approved for the Bur-Del-Cooperative Advancement Society Ltd.This equates to $219,100 in funding.The additional places have been created following a competitive application process conducted by the Department of Health.Nationally, the Liberal National Government has announced more than 17,000 new care places worth an estimated $910 million.More information about the results of the 2015 Aged Care Approvals Round is available at www.dss.gov.au/2015ACAR