The Albanese Government promised to fix aged care. But if this is “fixing it,” we’re in trouble.
Let’s start with Example 1: Blair Comley’s 2025 Departmental Briefing to Health Minister Mark Butler – obtained via FOI – doesn’t list aged care as a Government priority.
Aged care implementation gets a mention. But the exploding home care waitlist? Not a word.
No reference to bed shortages. Maybe it’s hidden in the redacted bits. Or maybe it’s just not on the radar.
Example 2: new Aged Care and Seniors Minister Sam Rae made his radio debut this week.
Asked about home care delays, he reassured ABC listeners the Government is assigning Packages.
True. But only recycled ones – when someone dies or moves into care.
There are no new Packages. And under the move to payments in arrears, assigning them costs the Government nothing.
It looks like action. But it’s smoke and mirrors.
The result? We’re not standing still – we’re sliding backwards.
As we report in our special Home Care edition of SATURDAY out tomorrow, the waitlist is expected to hit 130,000 by 1 November.
That’s Royal Commission territory – all over again.
Our cover story says it all. Laurie Sucic and her husband are 91 and 92. They’ve been told it will be 17 months before they receive their Packages.
They may not live to see them.
Does the Government care?
Crossbenchers like David Pocock and the Shadow Minister Anne Ruston are circling so expect fireworks when Parliament returns.
But with Labor coasting in the polls, is anyone really sweating?
Comley’s briefing suggests no.
Which leaves the final question for the sector: do we care?
Every provider I spoke to for this issue does. They see the human cost – the fear, the carer burnout, the avoidable decline.
They know this isn’t just a policy problem. It’s a people problem.
And until someone in Canberra moves more than deck chairs, nothing will change.
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