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

I move:

That the amendments be agreed to.

In my first speech in this place, just over five years ago, I called on members of parliament to make our differences in detail a healthy contest of ideas, of reason and of evidence designed to take us to robust solutions; to strive to disagree without being disagreeable; and to model the way for Australians to debate complex issues, to win the era instead of the 6 pm news skirmish. I believe that we have achieved that together with this incredibly complex and nuanced debate on this reform that will create a new and enduring foundation for aged-care reform from 1 July 2025 and for years to come. I thank members and senators—and especially Senator Anne Ruston—who worked with the government on this reform.

Today marks the passage of the most impactful aged-care reform in 30 years. Today our rights based Aged Care Bill will pass the parliament, putting older people and not providers at the centre of aged care. The new Support at Home program will support all of us to live independently in our own homes for as long as possible as we age. The aged-care system will be fair and financially sustainable, with those who can afford it making contributions towards the cost of their own care. Older people will be cared for by skilled workers who are properly respected and fairly paid.

This bill puts high-quality, safe and compassionate care and services first. It implements a system of caring for older people living with dementia that incorporates contemporary evidence based care, and it delivers our election commitment for better, more appetising and more nutritious food underscored by new food standards. The government's amendments are designed to address key concerns that were raised by the aged-care sector, older people and unions during the community affairs inquiry.

I'd like to acknowledge the work of the committee chair, Senator Marielle Smith, and members Senator Pratt and Senator Urquhart in addition to everyone who took the time to make a written or verbal submission. Committee members travelled to nine public hearings across every state and territory. They heard from over 150 people, including 28 witnesses who shared their lived experience of aged care. In total, the inquiry received over 180 submissions by people affected by aged care and by their advocates and representatives, as well as by service providers and other stakeholders across the aged-care sector.

The purpose of the amendments tabled by the government are to amend a number of key definitions and concepts in response to stakeholder feedback, to make key changes to the enforceability of the statement of rights and the corresponding condition of registration, to implement the recommendation that a review of accommodation pricing be brought forward to report to 1 July 2026 and included in the bill, to mandate financial hardship as a circumstance for the fee reduction supplement, to remove decision-making supporters and streamline and strengthen the safeguards in place for the supported decision-making framework, to sunset the immunity provision for restricted practices and to make minor policy and technical corrections to the bill.

I also commend amendments made by Senator David Pocock and the opposition during Senate debate. I thank the House.

Question agreed to.

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