The Coalition has been forced to take the lead on protecting older Australians, following a string of failures by the Albanese Government on aged care that has again been highlighted by the Prime Minister today.
When pressed by David Speers on Insiders this morning about reports of older Australians cutting back on essential services because they cannot afford them under the Government’s new system, the Prime Minister claimed it “monitors the system” and will ensure it is “operating as intended.”
These comments follow the Government failing to support a Senate Inquiry into the Support at Home Program, which will review the implementation of Labor’s reforms and whether co-payment settings – particularly those included in its unscrutinised Rules – are appropriate.
This critical inquiry, which responds to emerging reports on the risk of older Australians avoiding essential care, was only successful due the support of the Coalition and the crossbench.
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston said the issues raised by the ABC today were the reason the Coalition was compelled to take the lead weeks ago and force an inquiry.
“Older Australians and their families have been raising serious concerns with us about the affordability of care under this new system,” Senator Ruston said.
“The Prime Minister says the Government constantly reviews the system, but reviews behind closed doors are not enough.
“This is part of a pattern – whether it's aged care reforms, GP bulk billing decline, or hospital funding, this Government consistently resists independent scrutiny of its policy failures. Older Australians deserve better than a government that hides from accountability.”
This comes after Senate Estimates revealed that 93 per cent of Support at Home packages released this financial year are “interim packages” delivering only 60 per cent of recipient’s assessed care needs, which will result in older Australians permanently losing weeks if not months of support they need.
Officials also confirmed the Minister quietly included a provision that lets packages be cut back when “demand exceeds available funding,” a rationing system never disclosed to Parliament, the sector, or the public.
“These revelations show Labor has prioritised budget pressures ahead of older Australians’ care,” Senator Ruston said.
“The Prime Minister cannot claim the system is working as intended while refusing scrutiny and putting Jim Chalmer’s budget bottom-line ahead the care needs of older Australians.”
“The Coalition will continue to stand up for transparency, accountability, and ensuring older Australians are provided the care they need and deserve – because this government is clearly not willing.”
ENDS
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