Stop dithering on older people’s rights

Older Australians are urging a bipartisan approach from the Federal Government and Opposition to urgently introduce a new rights-based Aged Care Act. 

National Seniors Australia is among a group of organisations representing older Australians and their carers calling for the Aged Care Act to be introduced into Federal Parliament this sitting fortnight.

If this happens, laws can be passed this year to address the neglect in aged care and stop putting the rights of older people at risk. 

Along with NSA, the organisations working with older Australians and their carers include Australian Independent Retirees, Carers Australia, Council on the Ageing (COTA), Dementia Australia, Elder Abuse Action Australia, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, Older Persons Advocacy Network, Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care Alliance, and the Returned Services League of Australia. 

Each group has written to both the Federal Government and the Opposition urging them to act now to protect the rights of older Australians in aged care and introduce the Act so it can have proper parliamentary and public scrutiny. 

COTA Australia CEO, Patricia Sparrow, said the promises both parties made Australians about bi-partisan action are welcome and important, but time is running out for the promises to be delivered. 

“It’s been more than three years since the Royal Commission into Aged Care heard countless harrowing stories of abuse and neglect in aged care, yet older people are still waiting for a new, rights-based Aged Care Act to be introduced,” she said. 

“Every story heard during the Royal Commission, and the stories from the decade before, differed slightly, but the fundamental thread was a lack of dignity, respect, and basic rights.

“Both parties know that the reform we need requires the underpinning of a new Aged Care Act, yet for some reason we are still waiting for the Act to be introduced and debated. 

“It is now time for the Government and the Opposition to legislate rights as the bedrock of an aged care system that values and respects older people,” Ms Sparrow said. 

National Seniors CEO, Chris Grice, added, “Enshrining the basic rights of older people in a new Aged Care Act was a primary recommendation of the Aged Care Royal Commission. 

“It is a fundamental step needed to address the many issues in aged care,” he said. 

“A new Aged Care Act is essential to provide the foundation for future reforms, such as the new Support at Home program slated to begin on 1 July 2025.” 

CEO of Older Persons Advocacy Network, Craig Gear, said older people want to see a multi-partisan approach towards fairer aged care funding included in the Aged Care Act. 

As a very minimum, Mr Gear said, we need to see a new, rights-based Aged Care Act which includes a commitment to Support at Home, introduced and passed this year. 

“Older people have waited far too long for their rights to be enshrined in legislation,” he said. 

“Without the Act passed, we don’t have enhanced quality standards, we don’t have the promised increase in protections for older people and, honestly, we don’t have viable and sustainable aged care providers. 

“There’s no doubt that when it comes to aged care in this country, business as usual is unacceptable.” 

Mr Gear added, “This needs to be above politics. Older Australians, and their voting families will hold both parties responsible if we don’t see action to introduce the Aged Care Act and improve the system quickly.” 

Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia, said, “We need a system that is fair, transparent, affordable and has the needs and rights of older Australians at the centre of it. 

“This reform is about changing the aged care culture to be focused on older people. 

“Older people have been consulted, they’ve contributed, and they’ve waited long enough – now they need to see action.”