The Royal Commission has notched up its 300th business day since its preliminary hearing on 18 January 2019 – just three days after the Commissioners suspended all hearings and workshops in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic and increasing restrictions by the Australian Government designed to curb its spread.
To date, there has been 79 hearing days, 18 hearings and workshops and 12 community forums, with the Royal Commission’s Interim Report making headlines after labeling the system a “shocking tale of neglect” and calling for a “fundamental overhaul”.
The last four months has also seen increasing financial pressure on the sector, a Government plan to put the ACAT teams out to public tender derailed and controversy over funding awarded to an aged care facility due to close in a Nationals electorate.
Check out the timeline below:
As you can see, the Royal Commission has continued to make news despite a lull in news over the Christmas break.
Commissioner Tony Pagone QC’s extraordinary statement refuting comments by Aged Care Minister Senator Richard Colbeck that the Royal Commission supported ACAT privatisation were a first for any Royal Commission in Australia.
You can also see the impact of the increasing financial pressure on the sector, with 51% of aged care providers now running a loss, occupancy slipping to below 90% for the first time and the first of an expected wave of closures.
The bushfires that devastated Australia during the summer months hit the Government’s previously forecast surplus of $5.6 billion hard, with further predictions of the impact of the coronavirus on the Government’s coffers emerging in January.
However, this pales in comparison to the current crisis surrounding the coronavirus, which has now seen the Government put off the May Budget until October and announce a raft of billion-dollar funding packages to both fight the virus – including for aged care – and attempt to stave off a recession.
So, what next for the Royal Commission?
It is difficult to say at this point.
The next hearing – due to take place in Adelaide starting next Monday – has been suspended. The Royal Commission’s statement says all hearings, workshop and consultations are off until at least the end of May – nine weeks away.
The Commissioners have made it clear in recent hearings that they want the sector to “fully engage” with the Royal Commission – but with providers absorbed in ensuring they have the workforce and measures in place to cope with the spread of the virus, the Commissioners seem to recognise that this is unrealistic at this point in time.
Yet, there is are still many important discussions for the Commission to cover – including the ever-important issues of funding and financing.
Could the Commission receive another extension to be able to examine these issues in the detail they deserve?
With so many unknowns at the moment, it is a question that will remain unanswered for now.
As always, we will keep you updated on any news concerning the Royal Commission – in the next two weeks, we will be bringing you the latest updates on the coronavirus and its impact on the sector.
Feel free to drop us a line with your experiences, challenges or questions.