Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Ruston, that is an unhappy, disingenuous mischaracterisation of the discussion, which is intended to be conducted in good faith. Actually, the reforms to the aged-care system are incredibly significant and they cannot be separated from the outcomes that we are seeking to deliver for older Australians. The reforms that were agreed to by your party—not by the Australian Greens but by your party—seek to, in a really essential way, reorganise the way that care is delivered and provided to older people in a complex system. It is a system that involves providers, workers and, of course, older Australians themselves. It is worth getting this reform right. It's on that basis and because of our determination to deliver a very good outcome for older Australians that we took the decision to defer implementation.

At the time, that decision was endorsed by you personally, Senator Ruston, and by your party. But it was also endorsed by the sector. For example, Ageing Australia said:

We applaud the Government for listening to the concerns of the aged care sector and putting the needs of older Australians first.

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This is a win for the 1.4 million older Australians, who rely on aged care. We need to do this reform once and do it right.

The CEO of Anglicare said:

Taking the time to get this right will lead to stronger outcomes for everyone, especially older Australians who rely on quality care and support.

UnitingCare said:

UnitingCare Australia welcomes today's sensible decision to delay the commencement of the new Aged Care Act, recognising the opportunity it provides to ensure a well-prepared and effective transition.

Given the scale of change—particularly in the Support at Home program—this extra time will ensure the foundations are in place for a seamless implementation.

Catholic Healthcare said:

We strongly support the reforms enacted in the Aged Care Act but this delay is needed to ensure a smooth transition that avoids unintended negative consequences.

So you can hear in the voices and words of those organisations and those people who care daily for older Australians the significance of getting the system ready and getting the sector right.

We make no apologies for leading on this reform, Senator Ruston. And what is actually surprising to me is that you don't seek to associate yourself with it. You supported the reforms. You supported the deferral. I think, Senator, that you do sincerely understand the need to provide care to older Australians and older people.

We were pleased to work with the opposition on this question. Our purpose is to improve things for older Australians. That's why we've done the work that we've done. And we are very grateful for all of the people who've joined with us, in what is a very substantial endeavour, in a spirit of goodwill. We are looking forward to the implementation of the new act and the positive changes that we expect it will bring for older people.