Latest news with #AgeingAustralia
The Age
6 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Labor delays start date for aged care changes, costing budget $1 billion
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has admitted delays to his government's aged care reforms will cost the budget almost $1 billion, after Labor deferred the introduction of higher resident fees, new home care packages and stronger regulatory powers until the end of the year. The delayed changes to the $42 billion sector add to a growing backlog for the Albanese government, which is also yet to ink a deal with the states on hospital funding and a new system to take pressure off the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler conceded providers and older Australians needed more time to prepare for the system, which will reboot the home care scheme and change how fees are structured for new aged care residents. It now starts in November rather than July. Butler and junior portfolio minister Sam Rae decided after strong lobbying by aged care providers. 'The scale of this reform program is very ambitious, and I want to be crystal clear that I remain absolutely committed to it,' Rae said on Wednesday. 'This brief deferral is about ensuring that both the new act and the Support at Home program are ready to best support older Australians and to care for them and their families as it was intended.' Loading Providers welcomed the delays on Wednesday. 'The simple truth is we're not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July,' Ageing Australia chief executive Tom Symondson said. 'The additional time will give us the critical space we need to finalise agreements, systems, and processes.' But opposition aged care spokeswoman Anne Ruston said the situation was predictable, noting the Coalition had suggested a 12-month implementation process but was knocked back.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Labor delays start date for aged care changes, costing budget $1 billion
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has admitted delays to his government's aged care reforms will cost the budget almost $1 billion, after Labor deferred the introduction of higher resident fees, new home care packages and stronger regulatory powers until the end of the year. The delayed changes to the $42 billion sector add to a growing backlog for the Albanese government, which is also yet to ink a deal with the states on hospital funding and a new system to take pressure off the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler conceded providers and older Australians needed more time to prepare for the system, which will reboot the home care scheme and change how fees are structured for new aged care residents. It now starts in November rather than July. Butler and junior portfolio minister Sam Rae decided after strong lobbying by aged care providers. 'The scale of this reform program is very ambitious, and I want to be crystal clear that I remain absolutely committed to it,' Rae said on Wednesday. 'This brief deferral is about ensuring that both the new act and the Support at Home program are ready to best support older Australians and to care for them and their families as it was intended.' Loading Providers welcomed the delays on Wednesday. 'The simple truth is we're not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July,' Ageing Australia chief executive Tom Symondson said. 'The additional time will give us the critical space we need to finalise agreements, systems, and processes.' But opposition aged care spokeswoman Anne Ruston said the situation was predictable, noting the Coalition had suggested a 12-month implementation process but was knocked back.
