Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025; In Committee

Senator Pocock moved amendments to release 20,000 home care packages immediately, arguing that the sector had the capacity to deliver them and that waiting caused distress and hospitalisations. Pocock urged the government to support the amendments to help older Australians age at home with dignity.

Senator Allman-Payne argued that the government was conflating the delay in the Aged Care Act with the delay in package releases, noting that sector representatives supported the act delay but not the package delay. Allman-Payne contended that stopping package releases for four months was neglectful and that the government should act to close the gap for the 200,000 people waiting for care.

Senator Hanson-Young moved amendments to exclude redress payments from means testing for aged care, arguing that compensation for abuse should not affect an individual's assessable income or assets. Hanson-Young also moved amendments to reinstate offences for breaches of provider duties to ensure enforceable rights for older people.

Senator Grogan sought clarification on amendments regarding reimbursement for self-sourced consumables and the transition of unspent funds from the Home Care Packages Program. Grogan asked the minister to explain why these technical amendments were required and how the transition would be managed.

Senator Ananda-Rajah rejected the narrative that the government was holding back packages for budgetary reasons, citing evidence that not all providers were ready to absorb a flood of new packages. Ananda-Rajah asked the minister to elaborate on the importance of non-care provisions such as cleaning and gardening in the act.

Senator Brockman noted that it was after 12.15 pm and that the Senate would move to senators' statements, effectively pausing the detailed consideration of the bill.

minister

McAllister indicated that the government did not support the amendment regarding Senate committee review of ministerial rules. McAllister argued that there was no barrier preventing the Senate from referring matters to the relevant committee if it chose to do so.

Allman-Payne moved an amendment to insert comprehensive whistleblower protections, including provisions for internal and external disclosures and safeguards against reprisals. The amendment aimed to ensure adequate protection for individuals disclosing misconduct in the aged care sector. The question was negated, meaning the amendment was not passed.

Thorpe moved amendments to exclude compensation payments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of abuse, including stolen wages and Stolen Generations redress, from aged care income and asset tests. Thorpe argued that including these amounts in means tests would effectively claw back redress and penalise survivors. The amendments were defeated.

Payman moved an amendment to allow the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee to review rules made under the bill's transitional provisions within three months of tabling. Payman argued this would increase ministerial accountability and allow the committee to decide which rules warranted inquiry without being forced to review every minor technical change. The amendment was agreed to.

Allman-Payne indicated that the Greens would support Payman's amendment regarding committee review. Allman-Payne later welcomed the Senate's role in forcing the early release of home care packages but expressed concern that the waitlist remained large and that rationing of care continued.