Older Aussies receive care they deserve

The federal government and Greens Senators have passed the amended Aged Care Bills in the Senate, to enact the Living Longer Living Better changes, with the new Aged Care Pricing Commissioner beginning duties on 1 August 2013, five months ahead of schedule.

Aged and Community Care Services Australia chief executive, Professor John Kelly AM, said this government amendment had been flagged and it was not surprising that it was carried on the votes of the government and the Greens.

“It was, however, disappointing that the Workforce Supplement remained in the legislation as it is a flawed mechanism with which to deliver better wages for the dedicated aged care workforce,” Professor Kelly said.

“Aged care providers have had the opportunity to participate in what has been a somewhat frantic time frame of consultation, but ACSA looks forward to working with the next government to ensure there is enough support for not-for-profit aged care providers to invest in the extra 82,000 aged care beds that will be needed to care for our ageing Australians by 2020.

“It is imperative that proper scrutiny be given to monitoring the financial impact on aged care providers, particularly those in rural, regional and remote Australia where the majority are smaller concerns.

“The Greens have secured a guarantee of a Homelessness Supplement of $15 which will help specialist homeless aged care services.”

Debate on the bills was guillotined, allowing speeches only from the Shadow Minister for Ageing, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Greens Ageing spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert, and Coalition Senators Dean Smith (WA) and Bridget McKenzie (Vic) who reinforced the Coalition’s commitment to maintaining strict monitoring on the effect of the reforms on providers in rural, regional and remote Australia.

The changes relating to home care outlined in the bill have been delayed by one month to 1 August 2013, so aged care providers and other stakeholders can understand and comply with new legislative obligations.

As soon as the Aged Care Bills went through in the Senate the government made a number of funding announcements for programs under Living Longer Living Better.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC welcomed the passage through Parliament of the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill, which legislates long-overdue protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

Following consultation with aged care providers and a recommendation from the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, the government amended the Bill to insert a qualification on the exemption for religious organisations for the provision of Commonwealth-funded aged care services.

“The government is proud to have passed this historic Bill, which is an important step towards equality for all Australians, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity,” Mr Dreyfus said.

“It’s deeply disappointing that the Liberal Party didn’t support this protection in the Senate for accessing aged care services by gay, lesbian, transgender and intersex Australians.

“This amendment has been strongly supported by UnitingCare Australia and Mission Australia, and other major aged care providers have confirmed they do not discriminate against any residents or those seeking care.

“The vast majority of aged care service providers give dedicated and loving care to their residents no matter who they are, but it is important to ensure such discrimination cannot ever occur. Ageing gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people should not have to live in fear that they may be barred from essential care services.

“This protection is particularly vital in regional areas where there is a limited choice of aged care providers.”

The new protections build upon the government’s reforms to 85 Commonwealth Acts which removed discrimination against same-sex couples and their children.