The lack of information from Aged Care Minister Anika Wells on the future of the recommendations of the Aged Care Taskforce she chaired is creating great uncertainty for the aged care sector, unable to plan for the future.
It's now more than six months since the Government received the Taskforce's recommendations, and there has been no clarity from them about their response to either the Taskforce recommendations or the new Aged Care Act.
In May, the sector was shocked to discover the Government's response to the recommendations was not part of the Federal Budget. Even Aged and Community Care Providers Association Chief Executive Tom Symondson, a member of the Taskforce, was blindsided.
In mid-June, the Australian Financial Review reported the Government's response to the recommendations was a week away. On Wednesday, The Australian reported the Government's response will be delayed until after the Winter break. Parliament resumes on 12 August.
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Anne Ruston, told The Weekly SOURCE, the offer of bipartisanship support stands, and she is calling on the Government to release its plans for public consultation, which it is understood the Government is against. The Exposure Act released in December 2023 contained gaps for funding and there are 38 areas of significant concern identified during consultation.
"Waited long enough"
Josh McFarlane, Catholic HealthCare CEO, told The Weekly SOURCE, "continued delays and uncertainty about funding reforms affect the entire sector's plans to invest in services to meet the increasing need in our community."
"Many of the investment choices for providers are long-term and substantial. Ongoing delays continue to create uncertainty in planning. In all fairness, older Australians and the sector have waited long enough."
"Extremely concerned"
Laura Haylen, Aged Care Director, Catholic Health Australia, the peak body representing 350 Catholic Not For Profit aged care homes, said, "We commend the government for having the courage to tackle the crucial issue of funding sustainability in aged care and eagerly await the government’s response to the taskforce recommendations.
"The future of aged care depends on it.
"In terms of the draft Aged Care Act, the sector is extremely concerned about the imposition of significant, punitive and poorly designed criminal and civil penalties for staff and board members that go way beyond laws in other sectors like health and disability.
"These will undoubtedly deter talented managers, directors and board members from serving their communities and we know some are already considering their positions.”
Statement of Intent
The Minister needs to make a public statement to the sector on what is really happening. She told the National Retirement Living Summit last Friday: "We are working hard to get the response to the Taskforce finalised and the new Aged Care Act introduced to the Parliament as quickly as we can."
More detail is needed. What are the problems? What has been agreed?
The aged care sector, with half of homes operating at a loss, deserves to be treated better. The Government needs to let the sector know its intent on the Taskforce recommendations and the new Aged Care Act.
The presentation of the Aged Care Taskforce Report three months ago
