Stirling Griff (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) Australia's aged care system receives over $21 billion of taxpayer money each year,

  (ii) despite receiving large government subsidies, there is a significant lack of transparency in aged care, and

  (iii) aged care providers are not required to publish details on how government subsidies are spent including on food, medical products, accommodation, staffing and staff training;

(b) recognises that the aged care sector requires robust financial transparency in order to make clear how much facilities actually spend on delivering care;

(c) acknowledges that families relying on the aged care sector to care for loved ones deserve access to information to assist them in making informed decisions about aged care for family members; and

(d) calls on the Federal Government to legislate for financial transparency in aged care, as a matter of urgency.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Morrison government is investigating record amounts into the aged-care system. We've grown investment from $13.3 billion in 2012-13 to $21.4 billion in 2019-20, up to an estimated $25.4 billion in 2022-23. We recognise the need for robust financial transparency and access of senior Australians and their families to information to help them make informed choices and we have included some measures in this regard. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is considering these and other matters and is due to report by 12 November 2020.

Question agreed to.