Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he is aware of the “anxieties” faced by older Australians who are awaiting more details around whether they will be more out-of-pocket for aged care. Dr Chalmers remained coy when asked about when Labor will release the specific details around funding of the sector, however, he said the months-long negotiations with the Coalition were progressing positively. Some of the reforms touted include a means-tested user-pays model for non-health related elements in nursing homes and in-home care, while the government continues to foot the bill for medical expenses.
It’s likely the government will also waive criminal penalties of up to five years imprisonment on facility directors who failed to meet standards. The viability of aged care providers is a chief concern for the government, with an estimated 50 per cent of organisations operating at a loss operators, which in turn affects the quality of care people receive. Mr Chalmers wouldn’t say whether the government had reached a deal on the Aged Care Act, however he commended the work of Health Minister Mark Butler, Aged Care Minister Annika Wells, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“We’ve been really focused on and cognisant of the anxieties that people might have about changes in aged care. In my view, it’s not viable (for the current system) to continue,” Mr Chalmers said. “We’re being upfront with people that something needs to change in aged care, in order to have that higher standard of care for more people in a more sustainable way.
” He said discussions with the Coalition had been “meaningful,” and said he wanted bipartisan support on the issue. “There has been literally years of work and months of discussions with other parties in the parliament,” he said. “Our goal here is to deliver better care for more people as they age in a more sustainable way.
“Spending on aged care will continue to grow, even if we are able to implement the sorts of reforms recommended to us by the Aged Care Task Force.” On Wednesday, Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley said that while conversations “have been productive,” she said the Coalition would push for greater support for regional aged care homes. “Can I say of my personal experience of aged care, I’m there every week with my mother, and it’s a small, regional aged care, and we want the wonderful carers and staff to be supported,” she said.
“We don’t want them tied up with paperwork or bureaucracy. We want them to do what they do best, which is look after our older Australians. But we also want guarantees for those older Australians.
” She also called on the government to release the draft legislation. “We want every person on their aged care journey to feel supported, to feel understood, and not to be let down by this legislation,” she said..
