When Aged Care and Community Providers Association (ACCPA) CEO and Aged Care Taskforce member Tom Symondson presented at LEADERS SUMMIT 2023 he was new to the role.

Last week, when he spoke at LEADERS SUMMIT 2024, Tom confessed that 12 months down the track, he is "a little bit more bruised. I've got a few more scars than I had when I started, and I think I'm a bit more realistic about where we are and where we're going."

But he said the conversation aged care has changed during his tenure, and today there is far more consensus and media attention on finding solutions to the problems in the sector.

"18 months [into the role] and I'm still very optimistic," Tom said.

The release of the Aged Care Taskforce Final Report is "etched in his memory" - the report and its 23 recommendations resulted in Tom contributing to about 100 news stories on the day. The report lays the foundation for a "landmark transformation", he said. The agreement across such different members of the Taskforce was "the best we could have got".

ACCPA's delivery of a single message backed by the sector with 'one voice, one message' has changed the dialogue about aged care, Tom said.

The sector needs to keep delivering a consistent message in a constructive and positive way as reforms continue to be developed and implemented, he said.