David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend business of Senate notice of motion No. 4, relating to a reference to the Community References Committee.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 15 September 2025:

The implications for older Australians, their families, carers, service providers and state and territory health systems of the Government's decision to delay the commencement of the new Support at Home program until 1 November 2025 while also withholding the release of any additional Home Care Packages, with particular reference to:

(a) the impact of the delay on older Australians waiting for support at home, including unmet care needs and the wellbeing of seniors and their carers;

(b) the capacity of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme to meet increased demand for support at home prior to 1 November 2025;

(c) the impacts on aged care service providers, including on their workforce;

(d) the impacts on hospitals and state and territory health systems;

(e) the feasibility of achieving the Government's target to reduce waiting times for Home Care Packages to 3 months by 1 July 2027, in light of the delay;

(f) the adequacy of the governance, assurance and accountability frameworks supporting the digital transformation projects required to deliver the aged care reforms on time;

(g) the implementation of the single assessment system and its readiness to support people to access a timely assessment now and beyond 1 November 2025; and

(h) any other related matters.

Question agreed to.