4 years ago
EXTENSION OF AGED CARE ROYAL COMMISSION SHOULD NOT BE AN EXCUSE TO DELAY REFORM
Julie Collins MP
Labor notes the Government’s decision to extend the Royal Commission into Aged Quality and Safety after a request from the Commission.
We respect the independence of the Commission and the important work it is doing gathering evidence across the country.
It is critically important that older Australians and their loved ones have an opportunity to have their say and the Government must ensure the Commission is properly resourced to ensure this happens.
The Liberals cannot use this extension as an excuse to continue failing older Australians in aged care.
The Liberals don’t need the Royal Commission’s final report to act on the things we know are wrong today.
With the interim report from the Royal Commission due in October and dozen of reports and recommendations already on its desk there is plenty the Government needs to do now.
129,000 older Australians are waiting for aged care at home, with wait times blowing out to more than two years for the highest levels of care.
There aren’t enough aged care workers and they aren’t paid enough. Australia is far from having the workforce that is required to care for our ageing population.
A week doesn’t go by without more disturbing account emerging about the mistreatment or neglect of older Australians in residential aged care.
These older Australians cannot afford to wait and the Liberal Government must act now to ensure they get the quality care they deserve.
We respect the independence of the Commission and the important work it is doing gathering evidence across the country.
It is critically important that older Australians and their loved ones have an opportunity to have their say and the Government must ensure the Commission is properly resourced to ensure this happens.
The Liberals cannot use this extension as an excuse to continue failing older Australians in aged care.
The Liberals don’t need the Royal Commission’s final report to act on the things we know are wrong today.
With the interim report from the Royal Commission due in October and dozen of reports and recommendations already on its desk there is plenty the Government needs to do now.
129,000 older Australians are waiting for aged care at home, with wait times blowing out to more than two years for the highest levels of care.
There aren’t enough aged care workers and they aren’t paid enough. Australia is far from having the workforce that is required to care for our ageing population.
A week doesn’t go by without more disturbing account emerging about the mistreatment or neglect of older Australians in residential aged care.
These older Australians cannot afford to wait and the Liberal Government must act now to ensure they get the quality care they deserve.