The delay in the release of the Aged Care Taskforce's Final Report, which will contain details of future aged care funding arrangements, is fuelling media speculation that it is being withheld until after the Dunkley by-election on 2 March 2024 to avoid a political stoush and help Labor hold onto its majority in the House of Representatives.

The most recent Communique from the Taskforce, for the meeting held on 15 December, states that members "endorsed the final proposed recommendations of reforms" in the Final Report.

You can read the Communique here.

The Taskforce has found support among members and in consultations for increased consumer contributions in aged care - Plan B which we have been advocating for now for over two years.

Initially the Final Report was expected by the end of 2023, then January, but now the Government won't comment on when the Report is being released.

The Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Anne Ruston (pictured above) told The SOURCE that the Government is being "secretive" about its aged care plans.

“The Opposition understands how important it is for older Australians to have access to a strong, dignified and world-class aged care system, which is why we have offered to work collaboratively with the Government on this issue," she said.

"The Government must urgently explain why they have missed their own deadline for the release of the final report, and why they are hiding this report from the Australian public.”