Monique Ryan (Kooyong, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When the government's new Aged Care Act came into force in November of last year, the minister declared a 'new era for aged care in Australia'. He promised 'once-in-a-generation changes' that would 'enshrine the rights of older Australians'. The minister was right. The reforms have ushered in a new era for older Australians. But it's one in which the futures of those who built this country are deeply uncertain, one in which frail Australians are being crushed by the cost of basic services and one in which far too many Australians, almost 5,000 last year, run out of time while stuck in a waiting queue. They die without the care and the support that they deserve.

When I asked the minister during question time recently about 'robo' aged care, I was prompted by constituents who saw that the sector's new opaque algorithm was stripping aged-care assessments of clinical judgement. I'm hearing stories of people seeking reassessment, only to be told that they're no longer eligible for aged care. I'm told that the algorithm is systemically underestimating older Australians' needs. I'm hearing from experienced clinicians who are forbidden to override the algorithm to recommend more appropriate levels of support. And I'm hearing from clinicians who have left the sector in distress over their inability to adequately support the aged.

Not only are there more than 100,000 older Australians waiting for these 'robo' assessments but there are over 130,000 people who have already been assessed and who are still waiting for Support at Home. And, once they do receive support, older Australians are getting less value for money. Many who were previously able to have their needs met through home care are now reporting reduced hours of support because of the rising costs of services. This is completely at odds with the government's promised no-worse-off principle.

It's now four months since these reforms took effect. The system is unfit for purpose. It's relegating millions of Australians to a future of poorer health outcomes, lower quality of life and increased cost of living. This government promised a new era for aged care. Instead it has delivered an unfolding crisis. Older Australians deserve better than this. They deserve dignity, care and genuine needs based support. The government has an opportunity now to review, assess and iteratively improve Support at Home so it can be the program it was intended to be. It should do that as a matter of urgency.