After delaying its passage for almost six months solely for political gain, the Albanese Government has finally passed the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022.
This comes after the Government refused to pass the legislation, which contains important reforms for the aged care sector, last night despite unanimous support in the Chamber.
By delaying these reforms for an additional night, this stunt not only allowed the Minister to hold a prime-time press conference today to highlight the passage of the Bill, but it also highlights the Government’s ‘light on’ Senate legislative agenda.
Again, the Government have put their own political interests ahead of supporting older Australians.
Labor refused to support the passage of this legislation in the previous Parliament despite the Bill containing time-critical aged care reforms, including implementing the new AN-ACC funding model.
Then, the Government capitulated to the unions by removing the Coalition’s worker screening regulations from the Bill, which were important new regulatory arrangements supported by the sector.
The Opposition is committed to supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of older Australians, and the passage of this legislation provides more support and certainty to aged care providers and the residents they care for.
The Opposition implores the Albanese Government to continue our generational reform of the aged care system for the benefit of all Australians, and to stop playing political games with older Australians and their families.
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