Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Gallagher. The Albanese Labor government went to the election saying we would reform aged care—for residents, for families and for aged-care workers. Over the last two years we have implemented reforms, including 24/7 registered nurses on site, increased care minutes, wage increases for workers, star ratings, and better care and practices across the sector. How is the Albanese Labor government working to lift the standard of aged care in Australia?

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

I thank Senator Walsh for the question and in particular acknowledge the work she has done throughout her career to support workers in the aged-care sector through her union. A lot of the work we've done and work with that union over time has supported those wage increases into the sector that have been so critical in ensuring we have a workforce to care for elderly Australians.

Since the election the Albanese Labor government has made it a priority to deliver on our promise to older Australians and to the people who care for them. Today there is a registered nurse onsite in aged care 99 per cent the time. Older Australians are receiving an additional 3.9 million minutes of care every single day. We've delivered that 15 per cent increase to the minimum award wage for more than 250,000 aged-care workers, with more to come, and the feedback from the sector is that that's made a real difference not only in appropriately remunerating those workers but also in retention of those workers in this critical system.

This week, we reached another milestone for older Australians and their loved ones. Today the Minister for Aged Care, the Prime Minister and the Treasurer have announced a $5.6 billion package that will make sure older Australians have access to the aged-care services they need and deserve. This delivers a massive $4.3 billion investment in support at home, starting on 1 July 2025; essential changes to improving the funding, viability and quality of residential aged care; new laws to protect older Australians in aged care, with stronger powers to investigate bad behaviour; and civil penalties for breaching standards. These reforms will deliver an aged-care system that older Australians deserve. I acknowledge Senator Ruston for the work she has done with the Minister for Aged Care, Minister Wells.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Walsh, first supplementary?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. I, too, note the work of the Minister for Aged Care, Ms Wells, and the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Butler, in leading these reforms. The aged-care royal commission was shocking and an undeniable call to action. How are the Albanese Labor government's once-in-a-generation aged-care reforms responding to the findings of the aged-care royal commission?

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

I thank Senator Walsh for the question. The aged-care royal commission found that the system was failing older Australians. The final report can be summed up in the title of the interim report, Neglect.

Since we were elected the Albanese government has worked tirelessly to address all the problems across the aged-care system. The reforms we've announced today will deliver more and better care for older Australians. Today we addressed the first recommendation that was made by the commissioners: the government will introduce a new aged-care act to replace the Howard era Aged Care Act 1997. This act will deliver once-in-a-generation reform to aged care. It will ensure that older Australians will be treated with dignity and respect, and it puts the rights of older Australians at the centre of our aged-care system. This act will deliver certainty in the future of aged care for older people, their families and carers, workers, advocates and aged-care providers.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Walsh, second supplementary?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. It's really wonderful to hear how we're moving from a system characterised as neglect to one of dignity and respect for older Australians. How will these reforms support older Australians choosing to retain their independence and remain in their homes as they age?

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

I thank Senator Walsh for the question. This new system will respond to the feedback we have received through the taskforce and other reports about what older Australians want. Increasingly, they want freedom, support and choice to remain in the home and the community they love.

There will be 1.4 million Australians who will have the opportunity to stay in their homes for longer through a new program called Support at Home. That program will start next year and will help older Australians to age at home. Support at Home will cut wait times to receive in-home aged-care services. It will deliver more tailored support, increasing levels of ongoing care from levels 4 to 8. It will ensure fast access to assistive technology like walkers and wheelchairs, and increase the maximum support available from $61,000 to $78,000. Support at Home will offer a temporary boost through more transitional assistance. It will also provide access to palliative care, which is so important for older Australians.