Peaks welcome deal on new Act

The Aged and Community Care Providers Association has congratulated elected politicians for an agreement on historic reforms vital to all Australians today and in the future.

Following months of advocacy from stakeholders across the sector and reports a bipartisan agreement would not be reached, Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells announced on Thursday afternoon the new Aged Care Act would be introduced later that day. The primary recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was a new, rights-based Aged Care Act, and the Act pledges to deliver on this and more.

ACCPA chief executive officer Tom Symondson congratulated both the Government and the Coalition for “finding a way through” after months of “intense” negotiations. “They have put older Australians and the future of aged care above party politics,” he said.

“Improving the lives of older Australians is the number one priority for aged care providers. A new Act was the most fundamental recommendation of the Royal Commission and one that had universal support, including from providers. Without it, genuine reform for aged care would essentially be dead,” Mr Symondson said.

Mr Symondson said that the country would need at least 10,000 new beds to be opened per year for the next two decades to “keep up with demand” but he says this new legislation will enable that.

“Australia can build an aged care system that’s the envy of the world, but we need help to do it,” Mr Symondson said. “Older Australians deserve this future, alongside the confidence of knowing that the nation is fully committed to achieving it.”

He added: “There is more to be done from here, with the bill needing to pass rapidly through both houses of parliament so that it can be implemented, but this is a critical step in that journey, a step that many believed might never happen. Today, older people won a great victory.”

Older Persons Advocacy Network CEO Craig Gear also congratulated the Albanese Government and the Opposition in reaching a “hard fought-for” agreement on the funding principles in the new Aged Care Act legislation.

“The new Aged Care Act has the potential to enhance quality standards, increase protections for older people, and create a financially sustainable aged care system for future generations,” Mr Gear said.

“What we have here are the building blocks for a safe, high-quality, financially viable aged care system for generations to come.”

Mr Gear said OPAN would cooperate with older people and the organisations that support them to provide feedback to ensure the best aged care outcomes for older Australians.

“We look forward to working with the parliament and other sector stakeholders to implement sensible changes that ensure the rights of older people are upheld in the rule of law,” he said.

However, despite the positive outcomes so far, Mr Gear said he was disappointed by “the omission from the final legislation of criminal penalties” specifically for serious harm and neglect.

“OPAN, in collaboration with other peak bodies for older people and those who support them, will explore the detail of the new legislation to ensure there are appropriate financial penalties for providers who do the wrong thing, redress and/or compensation for older people, and measures to ensure restorative justice for older people and their families,” Mr Gear said.

A vital recommendation of the aged care royal commission was a multi-partisan approach to the onset of the new Aged Care Act, a key point that Mr Gear urged politicians to adhere to.

“Older people have waited far too long for their rights to be upheld and for this life-changing piece of legislation,” he said. “Its passage must now be facilitated without further delay.”

Chief executive of seniors peak COTA Australia Patricia Sparrow said it took too long to get to this point, but it was good the Aged Care Act was now introduced.

She said the significant focus on and investment in Support at Home would be welcomed by older Australians.

“Now that we’ve finally got past all the roadblocks stopping the introduction of the Aged Care Act, Parliament now needs to ensure that Australians have adequate time to scrutinise the legislation and provide feedback,” Ms Sparrow said.

“Ambitious reform is required to fix the current aged care system to meet the needs of our ageing population and increasingly complex aged care needs and the Aged Care Act is central to making this happen.”

People of all ages need to look into the detail contained within the 550 pages to ensure all elements are fair, transparent, easy to understand and equitable for all older Australians, Ms Sparrow said.

“COTA Australia will now focus on analysing the detail, speaking to older people about the detail, and making sure the voice of older people is heard throughout the next phase of the process.”

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