Ken Wyatt (Hasluck, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Franklin for her questions and also the member for Fisher, in respect to the aged care assessment, ACAT, wait times. On average, for someone on level 4 it is 48 hours—it is considered to be high priority and needs to be addressed. But the other packages range between 14 to 36 days. In talking with the department I have had the department go and re-discuss matters with each state and territory, because this is a contract we give to the states and territories to manage for the Commonwealth. In those discussions we have discovered that there are delays. They are unacceptable and not appropriate. In addressing those, I have asked the department to consider some options other than just ACAT assessments, because if there is a delay then I am concerned, as is the government, that people who have a need for aged care services facilities, either in the home or in residential care, will be delayed. That is something that both sides of the House do not agree with. We are looking at that with a view to finding better solutions than those we currently have.

See this speech in context