SENATOR THE HON ANNE RUSTON
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

MEDIA STATEMENT/MEDIA RELEASE

COALITION INTRODUCES HUMAN OVERRIDE BILL TO FIX GOVERNMENT’S AGED CARE ASSESSMENT MESS
Wednesday, 24 June 2026

The Coalition has introduced the Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments) Bill 2026 which would force the Albanese Government to do what it has refused to do for months and put qualified assessors — not a computer algorithm — back in charge of aged care decisions.

Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston said the Government’s own actions in recent weeks had removed any doubt that the Integrated Assessment Tool is failing older Australians.

“The Albanese Government spent months telling us the algorithm was working all the while refusing to listen to the stories of Australian families,” Senator Ruston said.

“Then in the same week it appeared before Senate Estimates unable to explain how the tool was validated, it announced a special carve-out for MND patients and then quietly introduced a double-assessment workaround the sector has called a band-aid fix.

“You cannot have it both ways. Either the IAT works, or it doesn’t. The Government has now told us, through its own actions, that it doesn’t.”

The Coalition’s Bill makes Three targeted amendments to the Aged Care Act 2024 which aim to ensure technology supports decision-making, not replaces it.

1. Restore Assessor Discretion

Qualified assessors can adjust or override the algorithm’s result when their professional judgment says the computer got it wrong. The tool supports — not replaces — human expertise.

2. Require Transparency

Every classification decision notice must explain how the algorithm was used and how professional judgment was applied, so Australians know why they received the care level they did.

3. Allow Backdated Reassessment

Anyone assessed since 1 November 2025 who believes the algorithm gave them the wrong result can request a fresh reassessment, backdated to commencement.

Senator Ruston said the Bill had attracted genuine crossbench support, with Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne and Independent Senator David Pocock joining as co-sponsors.

“We are delighted to have Senators Allman-Payne and Pocock stand with us on this Bill, because ensuring older Australians get the care they need is not and should never be a partisan issue,” Senator Ruston said.

“We urge Labor to support the Bill and, as a separate urgent priority, commit to a full redesign of the IAT with proper clinical input and a genuine trial before any further rollout.

ENDS