Sam Rae

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister outlined reforms focused on affordability, supply, and workforce stability. She noted that a family earning $120,000 is better off by $2,768 annually due to cheaper childcare. She highlighted fee caps linked to wage increases, limiting fee rises to 4.4 per cent initially and 4.2 per cent subsequently. She warned that the opposition's lack of policy and reliance on cuts would leave families worse off, contrasting this with the government's commitment to building early learning centers and guaranteeing 72 hours of subsidized care per fortnight.

Answer from Jason Clare

The Minister stated that the government had already cut HECS debt by over $3 billion for three million Australians. He announced a commitment to reduce all student debts by an additional 20 per cent if re-elected, which would save an average debtor over $5,000. He contrasted this with the opposition's policy, which he claimed would cost $1.6 billion annually by having workers pay for corporate lunches.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that the government had listened to feedback from veterans and ex-service organisations regarding allied health access. Consequently, the threshold for allied health services was not proceeding, but fee increases for practitioners were maintained to ensure service continuity. He highlighted the passage of legislation implementing 40 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated the aged care system was being rebuilt following a royal commission. He noted a new national definition for delayed discharges had been agreed upon to improve data consistency. He highlighted a $25 billion hospital funding deal to reduce waiting lists and get patients out of hospitals. He announced $115 million in additional investment for residential aged care capacity in hotspot areas, including 73 new beds in the Illawarra and 268 in Adelaide. Regarding Support at Home, he stated the system had nearly tripled since 2020, with urgent priority cases receiving packages within a month and high priority cases within about a month.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister defended the integrated assessment tool as a key recommendation of the royal commission, designed to ensure equitable treatment. She announced a new legislated escalation pathway allowing outcomes to be changed in extenuating circumstances. She noted that the median wait time for assessments was under one month and that a rapid review of the prioritization mechanism was underway to ensure urgent cases were fast-tracked.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister stated that registered nurses were now more than $36,000 better off annually, and enrolled nurses almost $32,000 better off, compared to 2022. He noted the government had invested nearly $18 billion in aged-care wages over four years, addressing undervaluation determined by the Fair Work Commission. He argued that better pay improved care quality and countered opposition criticism by affirming that hiring nurses and funding pay rises were positive outcomes.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister expressed condolences to the family and stated that no one in parliament wants older Australians to die waiting for care. He highlighted that wait times have decreased significantly, with standard priority cases waiting three months less and urgent cases receiving funding within a month. The minister firmly denied the use of artificial intelligence in the assessment system, clarifying that qualified human assessors conduct clinical evaluations which are then processed by an integrated tool to apply rules fairly. He noted that the government has made significant investments to overhaul the aged care system since 2022.

Answer from Anthony Albanese; Sam Rae

The Prime Minister stated that the premise of the question was incorrect as human oversight already exists, and criticized the opposition for hypocrisy given their past record. The Minister for Aged Care clarified that assessments are conducted by qualified humans and that the government shares the intent of the private senator's bill but fears it would lead to inconsistent decisions and longer wait times. The minister announced a new legislated escalation pathway allowing the department secretary to adjust assessments in extenuating circumstances, with consultations planned during the parliamentary break.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister said the government had put nearly $18 billion into raising pay for aged care staff. From 1 July, registered nurses would get an extra $85 weekly, enrolled nurses $67, and personal care workers $59. She noted that the average registered nurse was already more than $28,000 better off per year under the government. The Minister highlighted that another wage increase for nurses would occur on 1 August, emphasizing that supporting workers was essential for a strong aged care system.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister stated that at the peak of the crisis around 2018, more than 16,000 older Australians died on the waiting list each year. She noted that the number had significantly reduced, with 4,812 Australians dying on the list in the last financial year. The Minister highlighted that wait times had decreased, with standard-priority cases waiting three months less and high-priority cases waiting one to two months. She stated that $47 billion was invested in aged care for the next year, including 32,000 new Support at Home places.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister declined to discuss specific case details due to privacy but confirmed familiarity with the situation. She stated that the government has amended aged-care rules to recognize MND as a condition warranting urgent priority under Support at Home. This change applies retrospectively, prioritizing access for those already assessed or waiting. She offered to meet with the member and the family to discuss the specific case further.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister expressed distress at the deaths and noted the Royal Commission's recommendations had led to the new Support at Home program. He cited a report showing decreasing waiting times and affirmed the government's commitment to reducing wait times further.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister stated that 364,723 older Australians have access to Support at Home places, with 83,000 additional places being delivered this financial year and 32,000 next year. He noted that wait times have decreased across all priorities since the program began, and urgent cases receive funding within a month. He confirmed that additional funding has been allocated to review the prioritisation mechanism to ensure people like the constituent receive care.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister stated that the budget included a significant boost to residential aged care, building on more than $1 billion invested since 2022. She highlighted the delivery of 5,000 real beds every year. The Minister noted that Stolen Generations redress payments would no longer be counted in means assessments. She mentioned that no older Australian in the Support at Home program would incur costs for assistance with bathing, getting dressed, or managing incontinence, and that end-of-life care would be extended.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister acknowledged the correspondence and noted that demand had increased significantly, with over 350,000 Australians receiving care under the Support at Home program. An additional 83,000 places were being allocated this financial year to reduce wait times. Ninety-nine per cent of people on the national priority system were eligible for some support while waiting, and urgent cases were funded within a month. The waitlist had dropped by more than 25,000 people since September 2025. The budget would remove co-contributions for personal care services and invest in residential care sustainability.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister stated that all assessments were completed by qualified human assessors with clinical input. He noted that 180,000 assessments had been completed since November, with less than half a per cent requesting a review. He emphasized that the new system had reduced median assessment times to under a month, compared to up to 10 months under the previous system, and had eliminated $4 billion in unspent funds.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that Australia was fuel secure and that the government was monitoring the impact of prices on aged-care providers. He noted that providers could access help via current aged-care business and viability assistance, including the Market Adjustment Program, dedicated First Nations support programs, and business and workforce advisory services. He emphasized that there was no fuel shortage, only localized disruption due to demand spikes, and that the government stood ready to support providers.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister highlighted the introduction of the new Aged Care Act with a statement of rights, effective November 1 last year. He noted the delivery of Support at Home with 83,000 additional home-care places and the direct allocation of aged-care places to individuals. The Minister announced $115 million in new funding for beds in hotspots, bringing total ACCAP investment to over $1 billion since 2022. He emphasized four rounds of fully funded pay rises for aged-care workers, increasing average registered nurse earnings by $28,000 annually. He contrasted these actions with the previous government's inaction.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister highlighted that aged care funding has increased by over 40 per cent since 2022 and that the new Support at Home program now serves nearly 350,000 Australians. He noted that 83,000 additional places are being rolled out this financial year, which has reduced the National Priority System queue by over 25,000 people. He reported that the median period for home support assessments fell by seven days between the April-June and July-September 2025 quarters, with comprehensive assessments now taking under a month. The Minister emphasized the new Aged Care Act's sustainable funding model.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister highlighted a $60 million investment in a new facility in Palmerston and four rounds of fully funded pay rises, increasing average registered nurse wages by $28,000 annually. He noted the mandate for 24/7 registered nurse presence and mandatory care minutes. He contrasted this with the previous government's failure to implement Royal Commission recommendations and their plans to cut public sector jobs.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that bulk-billing for over-64s was now over 88 per cent, with 32 fully bulk-billing clinics in the member's community. He noted that 96 per cent of older Australians lived within 20 minutes of a bulk-billing GP. The minister highlighted PBS medicine cost caps, with concession card holders paying $7.70 and an annual cap of $277. He also mentioned $25 billion in extra hospital funding and the opening of 137 urgent care clinics.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister reported that 346,893 older people had been allocated Support at Home places, and the National Priority System had dropped by almost 30,000 people. Median assessment wait times had decreased by eight days to 24 days. He highlighted $18 billion in pay rises for aged care workers. He contrasted this delivery with the opposition's internal divisions and previous neglect of the sector.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister said that in the July-September 2025 quarter, the median period for home assessments fell by seven days and comprehensive ones by eight. He noted that the integrated assessment tool aids assessors without substituting clinical judgement. He confirmed that the algorithm depends on assessor input and will be updated regularly using feedback.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister announced a new 120- to 150-bed aged-care home in Palmerston, part of almost $1 billion invested since 2022. He highlighted wage increases for aged-care workers, with registered nurses earning $28,000 more annually. He also mentioned free TAFE and paid prac programs to build the workforce, emphasizing the government's focus on delivery and worker support.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that the government had delivered four rounds of fully funded pay rises, increasing the average registered nurse's pay by $28,000. He highlighted the introduction of 24/7 nursing requirements, mandatory care minutes, and free TAFE places for aged care workers. He criticized the previous government for neglecting the sector.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that the new Aged Care Act enshrined rights for older Australians, including dignity, choice, and freedom from abuse. The Support at Home program offered higher levels of care with less red tape. Residential care standards were strengthened with mandatory staffing levels. He noted that the transition had gone smoothly, with ICT system updates operationalizing the reforms. He emphasized that these changes addressed nine years of neglect under the previous government.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that from Saturday, administration prices under the new Support at Home program would be capped at 10 per cent. He noted that the independent pricing authority had issued pricing guidance and would introduce full pricing caps from July 2026.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister stated that the new Aged Care Act commences on 1 November, but reforms began earlier with the release of over 10,000 fast-tracked home-care packages, aiming for 83,000 new places this financial year. He highlighted a $300 million investment in the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program and pay rises for aged care workers, with registered nurses earning an average of $28,000 more annually. He criticized the previous government for inheriting a system in crisis, citing the royal commission's findings, and affirmed the government's commitment to dignified care.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister announced that the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program would commence on 1 November. He noted that 20,000 additional homecare packages would be fast-tracked in the eight weeks leading up to this date, with a further 63,000 packages to be rolled out by June 2026. He highlighted existing reforms, including mandated 24/7 registered nursing, which had delivered over 6.8 million additional minutes of care daily. He also mentioned a $17.7 billion investment to increase aged-care worker wages.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that the government had agreed to pass the aged care bill, ensuring certainty for older Australians, providers, and workers. He explained that the new Support at Home program would allow more seniors to remain at home with higher levels of care. To meet increased demand, the government would fast-track the release of an extra 20,000 home care packages in the eight weeks leading up to 1 November. The remaining 63,000 packages would be allocated by 30 June 2026, maintaining fiscal prudence while delivering care faster.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister explained that there is an established process for verifying data regarding the national priority system waitlist. He confirmed that around 87,000 people were on the waitlist at the end of March and that the government releases more than 2,000 home-care packages weekly. He stated that the verification process is longstanding and consistent with previous government practices to ensure incorrect information is not released.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that the reforms were bipartisan decisions made by the previous parliament. He explained that the Support at Home program would commence on 1 November 2025, releasing over 80,000 new places in its first year. He noted that more than 2,000 packages were currently released weekly, with high-priority cases receiving care within a month. The deferral of the Aged Care Act was described as necessary to ensure providers and older Australians were prepared for the reforms.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister offered to follow up on the specific case after question time. He explained that the new single streamlined assessment process, aligned with royal commission recommendations, aims to reduce wait times. He stated that the median wait time for an assessment was currently 25 days and continuing to reduce. He clarified that the assessment waitlist includes those seeking lower-level care and overlaps with the national priority system, noting that over 521,000 assessments were completed last year.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister expressed sadness at any deaths and reiterated that the deferral of the Aged Care Act was made after extensive consultation to ensure care quality. He quoted a media release from the shadow minister for health and aged care, Senator Ruston, which welcomed the delay as the right decision for older Australians and providers.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister reiterated that the deferral was welcomed by the sector and quoted support from Silverchain and Ageing Australia. He stated that in the last financial year, 4,812 older Australians died while in care or waiting for care, a figure provided by the department to the Senate.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister expressed sadness at the deaths and reiterated that the deferral of the new act was broadly welcomed. He referred the member to his previous answers regarding the decision-making process and sector feedback.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated he had canvassed these matters extensively and referred the member to his previous answers.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister explained that the Support at Home program, established under the new Aged Care Act, would commence on 1 November. He noted that home-care demand had grown from 155,000 to over 300,000 recipients since 2020. The minister stated that 83,000 additional packages would be delivered in the first 12 months of the new program, on top of existing recipients. Until November, the government continued to allocate an average of more than 2,000 packages weekly, with high-priority cases receiving care within a month.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister clarified that the Support at Home program could only begin once the legislation came into effect on 1 November. He reiterated that packages continued to be allocated weekly at an average of over 2,000, with high-priority assessments receiving care within a month. The minister emphasized that the new program would deliver 83,000 additional packages from November, supporting the more than 300,000 Australians already receiving care.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that the Support at Home program would commence on 1 November, providing the legislative framework for new packages. He noted that 87,597 people were on the national priority system waitlist as of 31 March, with over 2,000 packages allocated weekly. The minister explained that assessment wait times were longer than desired but that 521,000 assessments were completed last year. He clarified that 99 per cent of those waiting for packages were already receiving some level of care, and the median assessment wait time was 25 days.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister offered to personally follow up on the case if the member provided details. He reiterated that the Support at Home program would deliver over 80,000 new places from 1 November. Until then, more than 2,000 packages were allocated weekly, with high-priority cases receiving care within a month. The minister defended the delay as necessary to ensure the new system was fully ready for older Australians.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister expressed sadness at the loss of older Australians and offered condolences to their families. He explained that the deferral to 1 November was due to legislative requirements for the Support at Home program. From November, the government would deliver 83,000 additional packages while continuing to support the 300,000 Australians currently receiving care.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister acknowledged that some providers were enthusiastic but stated that the government wanted to minimize disruption for older people during the system-wide reform. He emphasized that work was ongoing until 1 November to ensure the new system worked effectively for older Australians.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister explained that the implementation of the new Aged Care Act was originally scheduled for 1 July. However, based on feedback from older people and the sector, the government decided to defer implementation to 1 November to ensure a smooth transition. He reiterated that 83,000 additional packages would be delivered in the first 12 months of the Support at Home program from November.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that he had spoken to many older people, families, providers, and workers since becoming minister. He claimed the overwhelming response from all groups was that a brief deferral was needed to ensure a smooth implementation of the new aged care act. He reiterated that the Support at Home program relied on the legislative framework coming into effect on 1 November.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister denied deliberately slowing assessments, stating that a new single assessment system was being rolled out to reduce wait times. He acknowledged that wait times were longer than desired but noted that 521,000 assessments were completed last year. He explained that the waitlist included duplication and that 99 per cent of those waiting for packages were already receiving some level of care. The minister emphasized that reforms were complex and required a smooth transition.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister explained that the delay allowed for the implementation of the new Aged Care Act and the Support at Home program on 1 November, which replaced the existing Home Care Packages. He noted that demand had grown significantly, with over 300,000 people accessing care compared to 150,000 in 2020. He assured that 80,000 additional places would roll out in the first 12 months of the new program. Until then, packages would continue to be assigned weekly, with high-priority cases receiving care within a month.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister explained that the deferral until 1 November was to ensure operational and legislative readiness for the Support at Home program. He noted that over 300,000 Australians currently access home-care packages, with spending exceeding $8 billion last year. He confirmed that high-priority individuals would continue to receive packages within a month. He stated that 80,000 additional packages would be rolled out in the first 12 months of the new system.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister highlighted the introduction of legislation to implement the Aged Care Act 2024, delivering 58 royal commission recommendations. He noted that 24/7 nursing is now mandated, with registered nurses onsite 99 per cent of the time, and an additional 6.8 million care minutes delivered daily. He cited $17.7 billion invested in worker wages, resulting in weekly pay increases for nurses and care workers, and noted that three-quarters of homes now have four or five-star ratings.