Mark Butler (Port Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank all members for their contribution to the debate on these five bills, the Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) Bill 2013 and related bills, which give effect to the government's $3.7 billion commitment to aged care. I particularly thank the Chief Opposition Whip for his contribution and indicate that I will come back to him about some of those funding issues in relation to Star of the Sea.

The government has been working with the sector for more than two years to develop a package of reforms that strikes the balance between what Australia wants in an aged-care system and what aged-care providers and government can responsibly deliver. Extensive input through working groups, public consultations and industry briefings have helped build these reforms. Through talking and listening, Australians will now be getting the aged-care system they want and deserve. These bills implement an end-to-end aged-care system, one which provides consumers with greater choice and greater control, provides more sustainable and modernised financing arrangements and ensures independent advice and oversight to support these changes.

We know there is increasing preference among older Australians for greater flexibility in aged care, including independent living arrangements and increased choice. Additionally, there are greater expectations regarding the quality of care and the services being provided. Aged care will no longer be left to chance. People will get the aged care they want and need no matter where they live or what their financial means. Australians have told us they want to stay in their homes for as long as possible. It is through these reforms that the government has helped people to achieve this. Australians will be able to make their way more easily through what, until now, has been a complex, fragmented system with more choice, more control, more support and more independence. This government is delivering real reform in a sector that has not had any significant change for well more than a decade. These bills are an enormous step in ensuring the aged-care system is sustainable into the future.

I can indicate that the government will not be supporting the amendment moved by the shadow minister. We do look forward to receipt of the report of the Senate inquiry into these bills and the debate that will naturally follow in that chamber. That debate will include many matters canvassed in the contributions by members on these bills in this place. One such matter, by way of example, will be the need to develop a homelessness supplement for providers primarily caring for people who have previously been homeless. I commend the bills to the House.

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