David Tune to lead aged care review

The comprehensive review of the aged care system is part of the changes announced to aged care in 2012 and this review will inform ongoing reforms to aged care.

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, MP says Mr Tune is the ideal choice due to his extensive work across economic and social policy reform agendas and his knowledge of the aged care system.

Mr Tune was Secretary of the Department of Finance between 2009 and 2014 and has also held senior positions in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Treasury.

Council on the Ageing (COTA) Chief Executive Ian Yates highlights Mr Tune has chaired the Aged Care Sector Committee during the development of the Aged Care Roadmap by that Committee and is well placed to ensure the Review takes fully into account the opportunities that the Roadmap represents.

“The Legislated Review is a vital step in the aged care reform process, providing the opportunity to advance a new framework for consumer driven, market based, financially sustainable, and also looking at the finer detail of the reform implementation to ensure that all consumers receive quality aged care on a equitable basis,” he says. “COTA looks forward to working closely with the Review as it develops recommendations that both Government and Opposition need to take seriously and act upon in a bipartisan manner to ensure the future of aged care as the number of older Australians grows substantially over coming years.”

Chief Executive Officer of Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) Sean Rooney says this review provides the opportunity to reflect on how much progress has been made in addressing the challenges identified by the PC.

“The review needs to tell us what is working, what is not, and what needs to change in order to meet the needs and expectations of our ageing population,” Mr Rooney says. “LASA insists that the review must also address funding sustainability and consider the true and full cost of the provision of aged care services in all its forms.

He points out aged care is at a critical point in Australia, with up to five million more seniors potentially needing aged care services over the next decade. He says preparing for this growth requires funding and policy stability, and believes neither are currently in place.

Mr David Tune AO, PSM says he is happy to be appointed to lead the Aged Care Legislated Review.

“I believe the Review provides government and the sector with the opportunity to assess the reforms implemented to date and to consider what future reforms are needed,” he says. “I look forward to working closely with aged care consumers and their representatives, carers, providers and workers on this important project.”

The final report will be completed by 1 August, 2017.