Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is completely unacceptable what is taking place in the aged-care sector. The royal commission has described this as nothing less than neglect, and the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government has failed older Australians. There are 120 older Australians waiting for home care, as other members have attested to, and 16,000 older Australians who have been approved for home care packages have not received them and passed away in the meantime. In a country like Australia, it is completely unacceptable that Australians can't get the care they need in old age. This is no way to treat older Australians. It is absolutely reprehensible. This is no way to treat our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

Older Australians deserve dignity and respect. Older Australians deserve better. Some 120,000 older Australians waiting for home care represents a national crisis. We all have personal stories: my own aunt, who is in her 80s, has been approved for a home care package but has been told it will not be forthcoming. We are fearful she will pass away while waiting for that very package.

Australians won't forget that Prime Minister Morrison, as Treasurer, ripped $1.2 billion— (Time expired)