In signing off on his time as Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care, Ian Yates AM has provided a statement to The Weekly SOURCE reiterating his disappointment that the Government has retained a rationed approach to aged care, rather than introducing a needs-based system as recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Ian has expressed his disappointment about the maintenance of rationed aged care numerous times in his role as Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care, as The Weekly SOURCE has reported.
Ian also noted in his parting statement that the Office of the Inspector-General (OIGAC)'s 2024 Progress Report on the recommendations of the Royal Commission, called on government to:
• introduce a more seamless, demand-driven aged care system
• improve people’s understanding of aged care
• ensure the system delivers high-quality, enablement-focused care
• ensure sustainable provision of care that meets people’s preferences and diverse situations
• improve integration between the healthcare and aged care systems.
Ian also drew attention to the Government's "severe" under-resourcing of the OIGAC.
"I cannot sign off, however, without recording that the OIGAC is severely under-resourced ... The Office is not sufficiently funded to sustainably undertake all its statutory functions," he wrote.
"It is at least 50% below minimum requirements. This must be corrected."
The Federal Government allocated nearly $7 million in the 2024-25 Budget for the OIGAC, which has 22 staff members. Budgeted figures for the following three years were slightly lower - see below.
The OIGAC was created in October 2023 following the passage of the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023 through Parliament, and was a recommendation of the Royal Commission. The role of the OIGAC is to shine a light on all aspects of the aged care system, identify systemic issues, and recommend changes to produce improved outcomes for aged care consumers and their families.
Since coming into effect less that 18 months ago, the OIGAC has engaged broadly with the sector, presented two Progress Reports on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Royal Commission, begun a review of My Aged Care, prepared a submission and appeared at a hearing for the Senate Inquiry into the Aged Care Bill 2024, and completed its first full year of operation.
A lasting legacy
Ian, who has advocated for older Australia's for over 30 years including as Chief Executive of Council on the Ageing Australia for more then 20 years, was instrumental in establishing the office, and filled the inaugural Interim and Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care roles.
Agency Executive Director OIGAC
The OIGAC also issued a statement today, and has published it on its website, thanking Ian for his "instrumental role" in establishing the OIGAC and his "unwavering" commitment to the Office.
Paula Pearsall, Agency Executive Director, said “On a personal note, it has been a privilege to work with Ian. His wisdom and unwavering dedication have left a lasting impact.
Incoming Inspector-General of Aged Care
“We will miss his insight and profound knowledge of the aged care sector, which has guided and inspired so much of our work. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue to influence our work and the aged care sector positively.”
Former Commissioner of Social Policy with the Productivity Commission, Natalie Siegel-Brown, will take up the role of Inspector-General of Aged Care.
Read the OIGAC's farewell statement here.
