Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Hansard source

My apologies for not being here. By leave—I move amendments (1), (2) and (3) on sheet 8448 together:

(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 1), omit the table item, substitute:

[consequential—commencement]

(2) Schedule 1, item 10, page 4 (line 19), omit "Act", substitute "Schedule".

[consequential—transitional rules]

(3) Page 4 (after line 28), at the end of the Bill, add:

Schedule 2—Further amendments

Aged Care Act 1997

1 Paragraph 54 -1(1 ) ( b)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

(b) to maintain an adequate and safe ratio of appropriately skilled staff to care recipients, to ensure that the care needs of care recipients are met;

2 At the end of section 54 -1

Add:

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1) (b), the ratio of appropriately skilled staff to care recipients is an adequate and safe ratio if, for aged care provided by an approved provider at a particular time, the ratio of appropriately skilled staff to care recipients is equal to or greater than the minimum ratio required to be provided by the Quality of Care Principles for:

(a) the number of care recipients receiving care through the aged care service at that time; and

(b) the type of care and level of care provided.

3 At the end of Division 54 of Part 4.1

Add:

54 -6 Staff to Care Recipient Ratio Standards

(1) The Quality of Care Principles must set out Staff to Care Recipient Ratio Standards. Staff to Care Recipient Ratio Standards are standards for quality of care and quality of life for the provision of aged care.

(2) The Staff to Care Recipient Ratio Standards mustset out the minimum ratio of appropriately skilled staff to care recipients required to provide care at an aged care service at a particular time taking into account:

(a) the number of recipients receiving care at that time; and

(b) the type of care provided; and

(c) the level of care provided.

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: The question is that the three amendments on sheet 8448 be agreed to. Those of that opinion say aye; against, no. The noes have it.

Senator Hinch interjecting—

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: I didn't hear a second voice, I'm sorry. I'm happy to put it again if we need to. Sorry, Senator Polley, did you wish to make a contribution?