Silence surrounds taskforce proposals

While the standout takeaway from the federal budget was the allocation of $1.4 billion to bolster the aged care sector’s technology systems and digital infrastructure, stakeholders seized on the tumbleweed rolling through the lower chamber when Treasurer Jim Chalmers failed to respond to the recommendations of the Aged Care Taskforce.

In particular, its call in March for older people who can afford it to contribute towards things like accommodation, living expenses and some home care services.

In a video posted on social media as he left budget lock up, Aged & Community Care Providers Association chief executive officer Tom Symondson said: “And the big news, unfortunately, is we did not see the response to the taskforce … We weren’t expecting details tonight, but we were expecting something.”

Mr Symondson then called on parliament “to get really serious” and action the recommendations to “make sure our sector’s sustainable.”

Aged care consultant Jennene Buckley – co-founder of Enkindle – shared Mr Symondson’s disappointment. “An indication from government about when we should expect a response would be a reasonable request of industry,” she told Australian Ageing Agenda.

Uniting NSW.ACT CEO Tracey Burton also expressed surprise by the omission. “Older people must be deeply disappointed that the government missed the opportunity of this budget to respond to the Aged Care Taskforce and is not holistically tackling the funding issues in aged care,” she said.

Ms Burton urged the government “to dedicate itself to urgently finish the work of the Aged Care Taskforce to ensure the sustainability of the aged care sector so that older people can receive the support they need and age with dignity.”

Sue Thomson – CEO at regional New South Wales aged care provider McLean Care echoed the desire for government action.

“The Aged Care Taskforce report made key recommendations to address the funding challenges facing aged care,” she said. “The government has everything it needs to act right now, and I urge the federal government not to delay any longer in responding to those recommendations.”

When it comes to aged care funding, Ms Thomson said regional Australians all-too often get left behind. “We need a better funding model to support a sustainable future for a sector that every Australian can rely on.”

Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers was another who brought attention to the sustainability-shaped hole. “We hope the government builds on tonight’s budget with a real plan to tackle funding for aged care in the long term,” she said. 

Another bone of contention for stakeholders: postponement of the Aged Care Act. “We are disappointed to see the budget papers indicate that the new Aged Care Act will commence on 1 July 2025 rather than this year, which we have strongly advocated for,” said Older Persons Advocacy Network CEO Craig Gear.

Noting that the Aged Care Act was the number one recommendation of the royal commission, COTA Australia chief executive Patricia Sparrow said the Albanese government needed to introduce the Act into parliament as a priority “to allow proper scrutiny and community conversation.”

She added the legislation needed bipartisan support “to ensure it is passed by the end of this calendar year so the sector is ready to implement it from 1 July 2025.”

With the pause button pressed on both the taskforce recommendations and the Aged Care Act, Ms Burton said the sector was unable to plan for the future. “We can’t strategise and we can’t act on the very real need we face – now and in the future – to meet the anticipated and the very real needs of older people.”

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