Catholic Health Australia has joined other aged care provider peak bodies in supporting calls for both sides of federal Parliament to urgently prioritise the new Aged Care Act and address critical issues facing older Australians.
In 2020, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety highlighted the need for a new Aged Care Act as its top recommendation, and earlier this year the Aged Care Taskforce proposed a clear way forward for fairer funding.
In a statement released yesterday, Catholic Health Australia, Aged & Community Care Providers Association, Anglicare Australia, Baptist Care Australia, and UnitingCare Australia said:
“This may be the last opportunity in which the Act can be introduced to Parliament to ensure timing for proper parliamentary process and public consultation.
“All parts of the bill must be introduced into this once-in-a-generation reform: rights, support at home, and fair, sustainable funding.”
Together, the statement’s signatories represent more than 1000 organisations that are responsible for about 70 per cent of the services delivered to the 1.3 million Australians receiving aged care, both at home and in residential setting.
“Older Australians deserve dignity, respect, and access to quality care,” the aged care organisations stated.
“Only through bipartisan support can reform of this magnitude and of this importance to the Australian people progress.
Catholic Health Australia’ aged care director Laura Haylen said the Government and Opposition “need to urgently prioritise the new Aged Care Act in Parliament this week to address critical issues facing older Australians and the services that support them”.
“With three in four facilities struggling to remain viable, every day of inaction threatens Australians’ access to the quality aged care they deserve,” Ms Haylen said.
“The Aged Care Taskforce made clear and sensible recommendations to secure the future of aged care. A new Aged Care Act will deliver once-in-a-generation reform and ensure older Australians receive the care and support they deserve.”
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It’s time to care about aged care: Urgent call for Parliament to prioritise new Aged Care Act (Catholic Health Australia)
