Labor’s $5.6 billion package of aged care reforms risk falling short of what was recommended by the royal commission, the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care has warned. Source: The Australian.
The Albanese Government last month secured a guarantee from the Coalition that it would not make changes to the financial sustainability framework contained in Labor’s aged care bill, clearing the way for the introduction of the legislation to Parliament.
Before the bill can pass and enforce Labor’s proposed changes – such as an increase in the cost of non-clinical care for residents with means – a parliamentary committee will spend three months investigating potential issues with the legislation.
The Opposition’s concern that there remains uncertainty surrounding the bill because of “unsighted rules and mechanisms” sitting outside of the legislation were echoed by the Aged Care Inspector-General in its submission to the committee.
“The Office has observed that a significant number of critical clauses throughout the bill are reliant upon additional provisions to be set out in the rules,” the submission from the Inspector General’s Office, currently headed up by former Council on the Ageing chief executive Ian Yates, said.
“In the absence of those rules, there is a degree of uncertainty around how many clauses will operate.”
The submission also raised alarm with Labor’s “significant divergence” from the aged care program recommended by the royal commission in 2018.
“As discussed in the 2024 progress report, the royal commission recommended a new aged care program combining current home and community programs and residential care should be established,” the submission stated.
“In contrast, the bill will provide the legal basis for the new support at home program, which is to commence from 1 July, 2025, while residential care is to remain a stand-alone service category with different access to service.”
The parliamentary committee will begin its public hearings in Canberra tomorrow, before travelling to Tasmania, Brisbane, South Australia, NSW, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin to hear from the sector on Labor’s legislation.
FULL STORY
Labor’s aged care bill a ‘significant divergence’ from royal commission, says Inspector-General (By Sarah Ison, The Australian)
