Nova Peris (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The young people in aged care report is a timely contribution to the important issue for young people with a disability who currently live in or are at risk of entering a residential aged care facility. I am very grateful to have been a member of the Community Affairs References Committee for this inquiry. I am sure all Australians understand that any one of us could become disabled at any time and be in need of care. So it is something that matters to all of us, but it also matters because a good society, and a great country, makes sure that people who are vulnerable are properly cared for—and that is what is at the heart of the mission of all carers.

As Senator Moore did, I thank my colleagues in the committee—Senator Siewert, the Chair, and Senator Moore and Senator Reynolds. Senator Reynolds is not here today but she was very passionate about this inquiry. I acknowledge the generosity and passion of everyone we spoke with—thank you to all the witnesses. In particular I would like to thank the witnesses from the Northern Territory: Carpentaria Disability Services, HPA, Somerville Community Services, Darwin Community Legal Service, the Aged and Disability Advocacy Service, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Step Out Community Access Service, the Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation and the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion

I also acknowledge the previous inquiries held into this important issue. I have visited aged care facilities in the Northern Territory and I have seen the professionalism of those who work with disabled people in our community—whether that be in aged care facilities or in the home—and I have nothing but the utmost respect for carers. These wonderful dedicated carers strive to make our society better by assisting those members of our community that are in need of care and support.

In the Northern Territory and throughout Australia during our hearings we were able to provide affected people, their families, their carers, service providers and state and federal government agencies the opportunity to talk about current policies and the inadequate systems that have led to young people being placed in this situation. We listened and heard clearly what those living this experience had to say, and I think it was vital that we do that, particularly at this time of transition with the rollout of the NDIS. Senator Moore has recently touched on what the NDIS means. We looked at the relationships between this community of people with complex needs and the agencies, organisations and other stakeholders.

We also heard about the lived reality of people with complex needs and we sought to make some sound recommendations in our report of what could be done—not yesterday, but now and into the future. As I said previously, this inquiry set out to answer some important questions around the inadequacy of the existing services, the numbers and distribution of young people in the aged care system, those outside of any system, and those that are not currently receiving any care.

Accessing this data was not easy, and this needs to improve. We heard that repeatedly throughout this inquiry. Governments need that data to plan the disability and support services well into the future. We also looked at the trends and the health and support pathways that are available and the things that are not available. The serious and pressing question that has loomed for some time is whether the aged care system is appropriate for young people with a serious disability. I echo what Senator Moore said: the evidence was clear and the situation is not acceptable. Our recommendations take into account the evidence which clearly demonstrates that residential aged care is inappropriate for young people—especially for people under 65 years of age—and that there is an undersupply of Specialised Disability Accommodation. As mentioned, we note that the inquiry took place during the transition to the NDIS and that 'person-centred care' is vital and is the way of Australia's future. But it would be remiss of us not to point out the concerns we have—concerns regarding the arrangements for significant capital to be used to build the facilities that are required to address the dire shortages of appropriate facilities and services.

The major guiding principle is that young people with disabilities need to be in appropriate accommodation where they can access the care and services that they need. This is what we base our recommendations on. I commend the report to the Senate.