Coalition backbenchers are raising concerns over how co-contributions for wealthy older Australians paying for aged care will be calculated under legislation Labor hopes to present to Parliament this week. Source: The Australian.
The Opposition is yet to announce a formal position on Labor’s legislation that seeks to implement recommendations from its Aged Care Taskforce – including that wealthier older Australians make larger co-contributions to their daily living and accommodation costs in aged care – but maintains it is still participating in “good faith” negotiations with the government.
Labor’s aged care legislation is expected to be one of the key features of the next parliamentary sitting fortnight, along with legislation of changes to university student debt, pay rises for early childhood educators, and establishing an Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.
While the Coalition has criticised Labor for not tabling the final version of the aged care legislation until the Opposition guarantees its support, the Government has since provided Peter Dutton with the entire 500-page bill.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers yesterday confirmed the legislation would see “a bigger contribution from people who can afford (it)” for aged care costs.
But Dr Chalmers would not say how much wealthier Australians would be up for, or how this would be calculated, because such detail was “subject to trying to land an agreement with the Opposition”.
Following the passing of the legislation, an online calculator is expected to be set up, which elderly Australians can use to predict the cost of their care depending on their financial situation.
Negotiations over the changes that will make some people pay more for care are among the final sticking points for the Coalition, which last month was able to strike from the legislation the threat of criminal charges for providers breaching new standards.
Data released this year showed half of the nation’s 2600 nursing homes are running at a loss, with industry heads calling on both major parties to implement reforms before it is too late.
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Liberal backbenchers question aged care co-contributions (By Sarah Ison, The Australian)
