The Albanese Government has rebuffed calls from Independent Members and Senators to bring forward 20,000 additional Home Care packages on 1 July following a delay in the transition to a new Support at Home scheme which has postponed the release of 83,000 new packages to 1 November.
The parliamentarians wrote to the Minister for Aged Care in June but the request has now been denied.
The most recent data shows there are now more than 87,000 Australians on the waitlist for a Home Care package. It takes 12 to 15 months for someone to get a level 4 package.
In the absence of action from the government, Senator Pocock is seeking to establish a senate inquiry to look into the transition with both the Coalition and the Greens indicating support alongside other crossbench senators.
The proposed inquiry would examine the impact of the delay in transitioning on older Australians waiting for support at home, including unmet care needs and the wellbeing of seniors and their carers among other terms of reference. A vote to establish the inquiry will take place on Monday 28 July.
Senator Pocock said that while everyone agreed a delay in implementing the broader aged care reforms was needed, there was no good reason for the government to withhold the additional Home Care packages.
“While the Home Care program will transition to a new Support at Home model in November there’s no reason to withhold desperately needed Home Care packages in the interim,” Senator Pocock said.
“There is a huge human cost to delaying the release of more Home Care packages.
“For some people that means being stuck in hospital longer because they can’t get the support they need to return home safely. For others it means entering residential aged care earlier than they otherwise would have, others are struggling at home without the help they need.
“Families are contacting my office in absolute despair at the lack of action and the delays.
“Being able to access a package in many cases only when someone currently on a package passes away is completely unacceptable.
“Refusing the request to release Home Care packages simply isn’t good enough when there is a clear solution the government could implement.
“The Albanese Government’s promised that by 2027 no one will wait more than 90 days for a package, it’s hard to see how they will meet that target now.”
The signatories to the open letter in June included Senator David Pocock, Senator Jacqui Lambie, Dr Helen Haines MP, Dr Sophie Scamps MP, Dr Monique Ryan MP, Allegra Spender MP, Andrew Gee MP, Andrew Wilkie MP, Zali Steggall MP and Kate Chaney MP.
Note to editors: A copy of the senate motion to establish the inquiry is attached.