An alliance of a dozen peak bodies representing consumers, the elderly, retirees, carers, and others, has expressed concerns about the tight timeframe for consultation on the Exposure Draft of the new Aged Care Act and the fact that consultation is based on an incomplete version of the Bill.
In a 28-page report prepared by the alliance, which includes the Council on the Ageing and the Older Persons Advocacy Network, they state, "The Bill does not include information on fees and charges, place allocation, critical powers, review of decisions, some parts of banning orders and use of computer programs to make decisions."
OPAN and COTA Australia, in partnership with 10 other older people and carer organisations, wants the Government to introduce the Bill of the Aged Care Act to Parliament in March 2024, which would allow time for a three-month review by Parliament.
Implementation of the new Aged Care Act is already behind the schedule originally outlined by the Aged Care Royal Commission.
"The new Aged Care Act needs to be progressed now. It cannot be delayed past 1 July 2024," the report states.
"Delaying the implementation of the Act beyond 1 July 2024 would put this commitment at risk given an Australian federal election can be called any time from August 2024."
The Alliance also wants a three-yearly review of the legislation to be embedded in the Act.
There are only 36 sitting days before the Act is due to take effect and the Aged Care Taskforce recommendations to be reflected in the Act are still not in the public domain.
You can access the report here.
