Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and Other Measures) Bill 2026; Second Reading

McCormack supported the bill, noting its importance for regional and remote communities where access to aged care is limited. McCormack highlighted the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the Riverina and welcomed the establishment of the commissioner to ensure culturally appropriate services. The member also raised concerns about long waitlists for home-care packages and residential placements, arguing that the government needed to address these broader systemic failures alongside the new commissioner role.

Roberts argued that the bill delivers on a key Royal Commission recommendation by creating a statutory office to advocate for culturally safe and trauma-informed care. Roberts emphasised that the commissioner would work in partnership with communities to improve access and build cultural capability across the sector. The member also supported the technical amendments, including clarifying refund obligations for providers and aligning local government roles with state and territory arrangements.

Venning supported the bill but argued it did not fix the broader aged-care crisis, particularly in remote areas like the APY Lands where services have collapsed. Venning cited constituent cases where older Australians faced long waits for funding or were under-assessed by the Integrated Assessment Tool. The member contended that the government needed to address workforce shortages, funding models for remote delivery, and the lack of human oversight in assessments, rather than relying solely on structural reforms.

Scrymgour supported the bill, recognising the critical need for culturally safe care for First Nations elders, many of whom are survivors of the stolen generation. Scrymgour highlighted the challenges of delivering care in remote communities like Maningrida and Nhulunbuy, where maintaining connection to country is vital. The member also noted the importance of supporting multicultural communities and commended the government's funding for facility upgrades in the Northern Territory.

Ryan commended the establishment of the commissioner but expressed serious concerns about the government's disregard for independent advice regarding the Integrated Assessment Tool. Ryan argued that the algorithmic assessment system lacked human oversight and was causing older Australians to receive inadequate care or be prematurely pushed into residential facilities. The member called for urgent legislative action to restore clinical oversight and address the failures of the current assessment process.

Georganas supported the bill, emphasising that it ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders can age with dignity and maintain connections to their culture and community. Georganas highlighted the success of Aboriginal-specific facilities in Adelaide, such as the Davoren Park home, which integrate cultural practices into care. The member argued that the commissioner would help bridge the gap between providers and communities, ensuring services are built with rather than for First Nations people.

Farley supported the bill but called for the parallel establishment of a statutory multicultural aged-care advocacy function for culturally and linguistically diverse Australians. Farley argued that if cultural safety is important for Indigenous Australians, it should also be formally recognised for other groups facing language and cultural barriers in aged care. The member contended that equal citizenship requires consistent application of dignity and advocacy across all cultural backgrounds.