Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Consideration of Senate Message

Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; Consideration of Senate Message

House of Representatives · Thursday 4 September 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The House of Representatives debated Senate amendments to the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which mandated the immediate release of 20,000 home care packages and accelerated the rollout of the Support at Home program. The government supported the amendments as part of its broader aged care reforms, while the opposition and crossbench argued that the changes were only achieved after sustained political pressure forced the government to address a crisis in waiting lists. Speakers highlighted the severe impact of delays on older Australians, citing high numbers on waiting lists and deaths while awaiting care. The amendments were agreed to by the House.

Outcome

The amendments were agreed to.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Sam Rae (Hawke) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Rae moved that the requested amendments be made, framing them as part of once-in-a-generation reforms to aged care. Rae stated that the government had engaged in constructive negotiations with the opposition to improve the system. Rae noted that the existing Home Care Packages Program had grown to approximately 300,000 people and that the new Support at Home program would assist an additional 63,000 older Australians by June 2026. Rae emphasized that the government was fast-tracking the release of 20,000 packages in the eight weeks before the new Aged Care Act commenced on 1 November to meet increased demand.

Government response

Sam Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors) ALP Hawke

Rae reiterated that the legislation prepared the system for the new Aged Care Act and the Support at Home program. Rae highlighted that the reforms delivered on 58 recommendations from the royal commission to create a fairer, rights-based system. Rae stated that the government had consulted extensively with stakeholders and was grateful for the opposition's desire to help build a better aged care system. Rae concluded that the passage of the bill brought the reform process closer to fruition.

Opposition response

Sussan Ley (Leader of the Opposition) Liberal Farrer

Ley argued that the amendments represented a defeat for the government, which had been forced to release packages after months of coalition pressure. Ley claimed the government had withheld support despite having budget capacity, leading to a priority waitlist of over 108,000 people and nearly 5,000 deaths while waiting for care. Ley stated that the coalition had forced the government to choose between releasing packages early or denying vulnerable Australians support. Ley emphasized that the money was available and that the crisis was of the government's own making.