Opened the debate
Ruston stated that the Liberal Party would not obstruct the passage of the bills, acknowledging their role in delivering the Aged Care Act 2024 and royal commission recommendations. However, Ruston emphasised that the original act was a Labor Party initiative rather than a co-designed reform, noting the government had rejected numerous amendments during the initial debate. Ruston argued that the coalition had previously proposed amendments to allow the Home Care Packages Program to operate on a transitional basis, which would have ensured departmental readiness and avoided delays. The speaker contended that the government's rejection of these sensible reforms resulted in older Australians being denied their rights and assessed care for several additional months. Ruston attributed the delay to the government's failure to implement necessary transitional provisions for the new Support at Home program.