Aged care minister no longer in cabinet

Catholic Health Australia, Council on the Ageing and Ageing Australia have been quick to congratulate the new aged care minister and other appointees following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ministerial reshuffle announced at a press conference this afternoon.

Victorian MP Sam Rae, from the new seat of Hawke, has been appointed Minister for Aged Care and Seniors in an out-of-ministry position, meaning aged care no longer has a dedicated minister in cabinet seven weeks out from the once-in-a-generation reforms coming into effect on 1 July.

The following day, as reported by Australian Ageing Agenda, OPAN expressed disappointment the aged care portfolio is no longer the responsibility of a cabinet minister.

Prime Minister Albanese told Monday’s press conference that aged care should be considered a part of health, which structurally sees a cabinet minister of the overarching portfolio, and a separate minister for the aged care outside of it. He added that he believes they have the right people in the right place.

South Australian member for Hindmarsh Mark Butler retains that cabinet role but under the new name of Minister for Health and Ageing. He’s also added Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme to his responsibilities.

“Our task is crystal clear: to strengthen Medicare, protect the PBS, deliver generational reform to aged care, and secure the future of the NDIS,” Mr Butler said in a statement following the announcement.

New member of parliament Rebecca White, in the Tasmania seat of Lyons, has been named Assistant Minister for Health and Aged care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, and Assistant Minister for Women.

Anika Wells has been moved to Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport. Sport will also be moving from the health umbrella to infrastructure, with the Prime Minister saying Ms Wells, who holds the Brisbane seat of Lilley, has played an important role in helping prepare for Brisbane to host the 2032 Olympics.

He also mentioned her origins as a Queenslander as being important to providing continuity in leadership for the state.

In a Facebook post, Ms Wells wrote that it had been a privilege to be the Minister for Aged Care, and thanked the many advocates and older people who shared their lived experience with her.

“The job’s not done…but my goodness we’ve made progress.

“Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey – many long before I started.”

“There is no greater contribution any of us can make than to care for, respect and value the generations that have come before us,” she added.

Stakeholders welcome new ministers

Catholic Health Australia chief executive officer Jason Kara said the organisation was looking forward to building on its strong relationship with the Albanese government and continuing a collaborative approach to support the health and aged care needs of all Australians.

“We congratulate the incoming ministers and look forward to continuing to work closely with them on vital reforms to the private health system and the smooth implementation of the new Aged Care Act,” Mr Kara said.

“We thank Mr Butler and former aged care minister Anika Wells for their energy, urgency and constructive collaboration, and look forward to building on our advocacy in the months and years ahead.

“The returned government has an opportunity to strengthen the sustainability, fairness and effectiveness of our public and private health systems, and the vitally important aged care sector.”

COTA chief executive Patricia Sparrow also congratulated the incoming ministers and said she was looking forward to working with them to ensure the delivery of meaningful action on issues impacting older people, including affordable dental care, rent relief, income support, cost-of-living relief, action on ageism, and housing options for older women at risk of homelessness. 

“Addressing the key challenges facing older people today is not just about supporting the current generation of older people but ensuring that future generations don’t face the same issues. It’s about building a fairer, stronger future for every generation,” Ms Sparrow said.

“The new Federal Government’s ministry is filled with MPs who we know are passionate about improving the lives of older Australians, and indeed Australians of all ages,” she added.

Ageing Australia chief executive officer Tom Symondson shared a similar sentiment, congratulating Mr Butler and Mr Rae, and thanking Ms Wells for her support of the aged care sector during her time as Minister for Aged Care.

He also noted that Ministers Butler and Rae are charged with overseeing a sector facing unprecedented change with the introduction of the new aged care.

“We’re running out of runway for the July 1 deadline, yet aged care providers still don’t have all the necessary information to prepare for these significant reforms,” he said.

The full list of ministerial arrangements can be found here.

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