GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN AGED CARE SYSTEM

The Liberal Government must respond to concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the handling of complaints in Australia’s aged care system.

Australians are rightly appalled by the shocking stories we’ve seen and the crisis that exists in our nation’s aged care system, particularly the standard of care being delivered in some residential aged care facilities. 

Older Australians and their loved ones should be able to make informed choices about the future of their care.

 

Labor has repeatedly raised public concerns about the lack of transparency in the handling and reporting of complaints made against residential aged care facilities.

 

The current reporting of complaints in Australia’s residential aged care facilities is overly complex and accessing information about specific complaints and accreditation failures is also difficult.

 

This is sadly consistent with the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government’s approach – it has refused to be open and honest about the true state of Australia’s aged care system.

 

It is clear the current regulatory framework that should be protecting older Australians in care is not working.

 

Just last week Labor reiterated our concerns that the Government’s new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner does not have strong enough powers to protect consumers.

 

The Government’s legislative response was a missed opportunity to give the new Commission stronger powers given the level of public concern.

 

The response also comes too late – the report that recommended the new Commission was released almost a year ago.

 

The Government must consider giving the new Commissioner greater arbitrary powers to resolve disputes between consumers and providers in the aged care system.

 

It is critical to the future of the aged care sector that families can have faith their loved ones will be safe and receive a high level of care in residential facilities.

 

Scott Morrison and the Liberals must do better to ensure older Australians get the quality aged care services they need.