Anika Wells (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

The passage of these bills through the House today marks an important step in the Albanese government's mission to bring transparency and accountability back into aged care for the benefit of older Australians. As the member for Swan said in her contribution, 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and the Inspector-General of Aged Care will shine that light.'

The bills establish an independent Inspector-General of Aged Care who will impartially monitor and investigate the Commonwealth's administration and regulation of the aged-care system. As recommended by the royal commission, the Inspector-General will look at serious and ongoing problems associated with the design and operation of aged care through a systemic lens—issues that have proven to be persistent, complex and interconnected. The bill also empowers the Inspector-General to monitor and report on the implementation of the recommendations of the royal commission, which, as the member for Indi said, is a very important tool to make sure the final report isn't just another report that collects dust.

I thank the member for Chisholm, the member for Moreton, the member for Swan and the member for Makin for their support for this bill. I know that people like Dawn in the member for Swan's community elected them to this place to make sure that we had a Labor government to create a better future for aged care. I especially thank the member for Moreton for sharing his own experience of helping his dad transition into an aged-care home. Like so many Australians, I know improving our aged-care system is a deeply personal issue for him.

I note the proposal of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, who is here with us, to create a workforce plan. That is something that would have been helpful at any point over the past nine years when they were in government as the workforce crisis spiralled out of control, which we are all now left to clean up. I also thank the member for Indi and the member for North Sydney for their contributions to the debate on this bill, and I would add the member for Clare to that as well. I commend these bills to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Message from the Governor-General recommending appropriation announced.

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