Federal opposition calls for greater transparency over Aged Care Act delays

The Aged Care Act’s delayed introduction has drawn the ire of the Shadow Health and Aged Care Minister Anne Ruston who shared her thoughts with Sky News over the weekend. 

Ms Ruston was critical of the Federal Government’s decision to delay the new Aged Care Act and maintain uncertainty with no estimated introduction date revealed. 

“We had great promises by this Government during the election campaign about these changes and the policy delivery they were going to have in aged care,” Ms Ruston said.

“Then we find out this week that the signature piece of aged care going forward, the Aged Care Act, has been delayed – and we don’t even know how long it has been delayed for.” 

Internal Government documents state the Act’s implementation date as “TBC” with suggestions it could be legislated by the end of the year or early 2025 before the next Federal election.

When the Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells revealed the Aged Care Act would be delayed, she said the Government was considering the extensive feedback provided by stakeholders to refine and finalise the draft Act.

However, Ms Ruston told Sky News she is disappointed to have not been included in any discussions regarding Aged Care Taskforce recommendations or what the Government intends to do with the Aged Care Act. 

“So far I have no idea what the Government’s intentions are in relation to the recommendations of the Taskforce. I would like to think pretty soon the Government is going to come to the opposition with some suggestions. We said we would support sensible reforms but they have to come forward with sensible reforms and put them on the table,” she said.

“I’m really disappointed, not just for me. It’s one thing she [Minister Wells] hasn’t consulted with me but she hasn’t consulted with Australia. I would have thought this was a conversation we should have been having with older Australians and their families for the last year.”

Ms Ruston mentioned the Taskforce’s limited public conversations and the three-month gap between their final report being completed and actually being released as signs of poor transparency. 

“I’d say the first thing the Minister should be doing right now is being honest and transparent, not just with me, but with the Australian public about what the Government intends. We need to have a conversation with the people that this change is going to affect,” she added.

There have been mixed reactions to the Aged Care Act’s delay with consumer advocacy groups disappointed at the blown-out timeline for much-needed person-centred reforms. Aged care providers have typically been more welcoming of the extra time purely because it affords more opportunities for planning, preparation and implementation.

But Ms Ruston said people are starting to get nervous because of the uncertainty surrounding the look of these reforms, including potentials such as increased consumer co-contributions. 

The Shadow minister urged Minister Wells and the Federal Government to step forward and shed light on what’s set to happen next for providers and older Australians.

“I am concerned like I am sure every aged care provider and every older Australian [is] about what this actually means. We know we’ve got real challenges in aged care at the moment,” she said.

“We have a critical situation and then we find out we’re not pushing forward with the new Aged Care Act.”