Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I was trying to get some advice, because I understand that situation. In a previous life, back in the nineties, I was part of a team that worked to get young people out of nursing homes where it was inappropriate. So I do understand this issue and absolutely the appropriateness of an aged-care facility for some who require that high-level care. I guess, since that time, we now also have the NDIS to provide support to people under the age of 65. We don't support this amendment, Senator Ruston. We believe it would reverse measures taken since the royal commission to limit entry of younger people to residential aged care. The intent of the bill is that there would be prescribed categories for those under the age of 65 accessing aged care through the aged-care assessment process, also with the requirement that the individual has been informed of alternative service options and elects to be provided with aged-care services. Our view is that it is necessary to provide clarity on the categories of people who may be considered for younger entry to aged care and that this clarity both provides certainty to those individuals about the eligibility and avoids the current situation where, in the absence of a legislated definition of exceptional circumstance, aged care can become a service of last resort in situations where it's not appropriate.

Question negatived.