ABC’s Anne Connolly to turn spotlight on aged care – again

Eight years after the ABC’s damaging Four Corners broadcast ‘Who Cares?’ helped trigger the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, investigative reporter Anne Connolly is again calling on families to contact her.

A key focus this time is the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s controversial Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT). See a call out posted on Facebook below.

The national broadcaster has been receiving a large number of emails in response to the call out, detailing problems with automated assessment outcomes and high fees for grandfathered consumers.

Anne has confirmed to The Weekly SOURCE that she is actively speaking with people affected by the changes as the ABC considers a new program in the coming months.

Anne won a Human Rights Award for the two-part 2018 investigation and her team took home a Walkley Award for Public Service Journalism.

On the ABC’s 7.30 program last November, Anne reported on excessive wait times for aged care assessments – an issue The Weekly SOURCE has been covering extensively since July 2025.

Assessment outcomes under pressure

The introduction of the IAT and automated assessment processes has led to mounting concern across the sector.

Operators and advisers say outcomes are often bizarre, with consumers seeking care upgrades due to increasing needs instead having their Packages downgraded.

The number of appeals against assessment decisions has doubled, with many disputing the level of classification recommended.

There are also still long waits for assessments. As of 31 December 2025, there were 103,527 older Australians waiting for an aged care assessment.

At the same time, consumer co-contributions and the allocation of Interim Support at Home Packages are creating confusion among consumers and additional administrative workload for providers.

The controversy surrounding the IAT is also attracting broader media attention. The Guardian has published three articles in the past week warning that the algorithmic process is “cruel and inhumane” and arguing it could push older Australians into residential aged care prematurely.

Watch this space then.