The aged care sector and MPs have grown increasingly frustrated over secrecy and delays shrouding reforms that are hoped to transform how people are cared for at the end of their lives. Source: Canberra Times
With less than eight parliamentary sitting weeks left in 2024, there are fears legislation to establish a rights-based aged care act will be sidelined until after the next election.
There are also concerns over the Government’s deferred response to recommendations handed down by a hand-picked task force that will ultimately map out how people pay for their care.
Chief executive of the Older Persons Advocacy Network Craig Gear said advocates were not looking for “perfect” but urgently wanted a package brought forward for public view.
“The fundamental thing is getting the funding model right because we want a sustainable aged care system but at the same time not giving up the rights or the support at home program because they [the Government] can’t come to an agreement on funding,” Mr Gear said.
It’s understood the Government is still trying to secure bipartisanship with the Coalition over key measures put forward by its task force, including a proposal to increase lifetime contributions for residential aged care.
A spokesperson for Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said “daily” discussions with the Coalition were under way to ensure the Government “gets it right.”
“We are working to introduce the new Aged Care Act to Parliament as soon as possible,” they said.
Australia’s population is ageing rapidly, with the number of people aged 80 and over expected to double by 2050. The aged care sector, which has shed a significant portion of its workforce in the past two decades, will need at least 17,000 direct workers every year to meet basic standards of care.
Industry sources said residential aged care providers were growing increasingly nervous over political delays as they will need at least two years to prepare and adjust to a new system.
FULL STORY
The ‘perplexing’ reasons we aren’t seeing aged care reform (By Eleanor Campbel, Canberra Times)
