Award-Winning Providers and Local Operators to Have Their Say on Aged Care Proposals Amid Growing Concern

Sunshine Coast aged care providers and participants are facing an unprecedented crisis, as skyrocketing living costs, skills shortages, and crippling red-tape bear down on the sector. The Federal Government’s proposed changes to aged care legislation, have largely left frontline workers and participants out of the picture.

One MP is fighting to change that, hosting a cross-section of providers, participants, including an awardwinning aged care operator, in an Aged Care Roundtable.

Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace MP, represents over 38,000 senior Australians (over 65 years old), including 17,000 aged pension recipients, who are served by more than 50 providers contending with the crisis. Mr Wallace said that he was committed to ensuring that Sunshine Coast locals and operators get to have their say on the proposed changes, and to raise the issues facing the beleaguered aged care sector. He said he shared their concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the proposals, and the Government’s failure to address the root causes of the problems.

“Older Australians – particularly in regional Australia - have been excluded from this conversation for too long, while the crisis in aged care just gets worse and worse,” Mr Wallace said. “That’s what I’m hoping to achieve with meetings like the one we’re holding today, with those at the coalface of our local aged care services.”

Concerns from local providers have highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and inflation, which places significant financial strain on operators. Many aged care businesses are struggling to remain viable, with some even operating at a loss. This pressure is compounded by the growing demand on aged care services, as the Sunshine Coast remains the top destination for domestic migration.

“The Coalition dragged the Government kicking and screaming to lift the veil of secrecy and allow their proposals to be debated and amended,” Mr Wallace continued, “We need a system which is strong and sustainable into the long-term, but we have to make sure that those who are most affected get to have their say.”

“That is why we pushed the Government to include grandfathering arrangements, lifetime caps, a much lower taper rate, and an assurance that the Federal Government will remain the majority funding contributor to aged care - not the consumer,” Mr Wallace emphasised.

“We are fighting hard to secure a fairer deal for Australians who have worked hard all their lives to save for their retirement,” Mr Wallace added.

One Roundtable participant of the Fisher Aged Care Roundtable is Just Better Care Sunshine Coast, who recently took out the Business of the Year at the 2024 Fisher Community Awards. Owner and Sunshine Coast business leader, Tony Sandy, applauded the Roundtable, saying, “These changes will have an impact on our most vulnerable people in our community. It’s great to have Mr. Wallace sit down with us to hear about our concerns.”

Venue hosts, Rockpool Residential Aged Care, said they were proud to participate in the Aged Care Roundtable, reinforcing their commitment to deliver exceptional care in a supportive environment.

CEO Melissa Argent said, “As a Queensland owned and operated facility on the Sunshine Coast, Rockpool emphasises the importance of collaboration with local providers and stakeholders to address the pressing challenges facing the aged care sector.”

“We believe that every resident deserves personalised care and support, and we are dedicated to working alongside our community to achieve this vision,” Ms Argent continued. “We have this unique opportunity to re-set a standard for the aged care sector, ensuring sustainability and growth to ensure older Australians can receive the care and lifestyle they deserve. It is certainly a great step forward to receive Bipartisan Agreement with our new Aged Care Act, however we need to balance this with understanding the detail and the ongoing reform agenda attached. As providers we need to ensure the heavy compliance and reform agenda does not stifle innovation and allows us as a sector to celebrate the many wonderful things that happen every day,” Ms Argent added.

Providers and participants are invited to share their thoughts in submissions to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs inquiry into the Aged Care Bill 2024 due by 30 September 2024, with public hearings scheduled to commence from 3 October to 24 October. You can make a submission or find out more at www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/AgedCareBill2024.