Labor’s resounding win brings renewed focus on aged care reform

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured a second term in a historic win for the Australian Labor Party, gaining a strengthened majority in the House of Representatives against a shell-shocked Coalition opposition.

The federal election saw Labor claim at least 85 seats, significantly outpacing the 76-seat threshold needed to govern. At one stage, pundits even believed a minority government would be likely, yet the Coalition suffered heavy losses, securing only 39 seats.

In a major political upset, Peter Dutton lost his Queensland seat of Dickson to Labor’s Ali France, becoming the first federal opposition leader in history to lose his seat at a general election.

While several seats are still in play, the win puts the aged care sector back on track for progressive reform ahead of implementing a new Aged Care Act on July 1.

Key points

• Needing 76 seats to win, Labor has secured 85 seats as of Monday, May 5. It could soar past 90 seats if undetermined results fall in its favour.
• Anthony Albanese is the first Prime Minister since John Howard to be re-elected, doing so with an emphatic increased majority.
• Opposition leader Peter Dutton has fallen on his sword, not only losing the election but also losing his seat of Dickson to leave the Coalition without a clear leader.
• There are no changes for the prominent aged care players: Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, retained Hindmarsh; Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells, retained Lilley; and Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston is likely to be re-elected.

Sector calls for continued bipartisan support

Amid a national conversation dominated by cost-of-living pressures and climate action, aged care remains one of the most pressing and complex policy areas facing the government.

Aged care stakeholders have welcomed the election outcome but are urging the government to maintain momentum on reform.

“We congratulate Prime Minister Albanese on winning the federal election and we look forward to continuing to work with his government on meaningful, well-designed reform,” Ageing Australia Chief Executive Officer Tom Symondson said.

Over the past term, Ageing Australia has worked with both the Labor Government and the opposition to deliver rare bipartisan support for a new Aged Care Act, hailed as a milestone in modernising the system and protecting the rights of older Australians.

“The reform journey can only continue with this type of solidarity,” Mr Symondson added.

“Politicians of all persuasions put older Australians ahead of party politics to land these historic reforms, but the job has only just begun.

“Supporting transition to the new Act, addressing the workforce crisis and improving access for older Australians must be a national priority moving forward.”

Although Senator Ruston’s place in the senate is not confirmed – less than 50% of votes have been counted – the deputy leader of the opposition in the senate is likely to retain her place as one of six elected South Australians.

In a Liberal party that has lost several key leaders, it remains to be seen whether she will retain her shadow portfolio or take on new duties as one of the party’s most respected members.

As for Labor, Minister Wells was coy when asked about seeking a promotion after she was elevated to cabinet in January.

“That is for the prime minister to decide and, like Jim [Chalmers] says, for our party colleagues to work through, particularly because we are waiting on several races to settle, including here in Queensland with Longman and Forde,” Wells shared on Monday morning.

There is an expectation that the frontbench will be ‘freshened up’ in the wake of the election win.

An opportunity that cannot be missed

The implementation of the new Aged Care Act presents a monumental task for providers. While there is widespread support for the reforms and the new charter of rights, concerns remain over the feasibility of meeting the deadlines.

Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers said the country faces major changes linked to affordable housing and everyday living costs. She urged the government to remain focused on those key priorities, alongside aged care.

“Hundreds of thousands of Australians are struggling to find an affordable home. People on the lowest incomes are struggling to make ends meet. And the aged care sector is in the midst of historic reforms,” Ms Chambers stated.

“That’s why poll after poll shows that Australians want action on wages, welfare, housing and climate change over band-aid solutions. We owe it to them to take action.

“We need an ongoing commitment to better care for older people. The government has kicked off historic reforms to the sector, and now we need an ongoing commitment to see those reforms through.

“We know what we need to do to make Australia fairer – invest in affordable housing, raise the rate of incomes, and ensure a dignified life for older people,” she added.

Mr Symondson said this is not the time to squander once-in-a-generation reforms, and he urged the government to ensure providers have time to adapt.

“We fully support the introduction of the new Act and the charter of rights for older Australians, but the plain truth is providers simply won’t have enough time to implement all of the reforms by 1 July, with the real risk of creating mass confusion for older Australians and the sector as a whole,” he said.

“Both providers and older people need to get across the changes to the aged care system, however, we don’t yet know what those final changes are and we still don’t have all the information we need to get on with the job.

“We have an opportunity to deliver these once-in-a-generation reforms in a way that makes the lives of older people better – we cannot afford to squander it.”

For the Albanese Government, the strengthened mandate offers a powerful opportunity to follow through on its promises. But delivering aged care reform will now test its capacity to act with urgency, clarity, and compassion.