It’s official – after nine years of Coalition rule, Labor has returned to office following its election win on Saturday night, and has done so partly on the back of some big promises for aged care.
The new Federal Government made aged care a big issue in its campaign, with then-Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese laying out a five-point plan to reform the sector:
- Mandating 24/7 registered nurses at every aged care facility;
- Mandating 215 minutes of care per resident, per day;
- Backing a pay rise for workers at the Fair Work Commission, and fully funding the outcome;
- Developing and implementing mandatory nutrition standards for aged care homes; and
- Increasing integrity and accountability for the sector, including new powers for the Aged Care Safety Commissioner.
Aged care peak bodies have welcomed the new Prime Minister’s victory, with the Australian Aged Care Collaboration (AACC) calling on Labor to make aged care a priority for its first 100 days in office, include it in any crossbench negotiations, and provide a cash injection to help struggling providers.
“The election has helped focus attention on the need for ambitious action for older Australians and for greater respect and better pay for aged care workers. The care economy was at the heart of the Labor pitch for election and it should be top of its agenda in government.
“We look forward to working in partnership with the new Minister for Aged Care and the whole of government on the transformation needed to deliver better support and care for all older Australians,” the AACC said.
Of course, the Government will have to come up with the money to fund its promises, the cost of which is expected to reach into the billions, particularly if the Fair Work Commission finds in favour of a wage increase for aged care workers (a position Labor has pledged to support).
As Labor has promised no new taxes, instituting co-contributions from wealthy Australian seniors to fund their own aged care might be on the horizon – so watch this space.
