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Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform)

Current status

This bill became law on Nov 9th, 2022.

Policy area

Health, care & disability

What does this bill do?

Residential aged care homes covered by the law must have at least one registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. on site and working at all times from 1 July 2023.

Why was it introduced?

Existing aged care rules left gaps in round-the-clock nursing, home care charges and public information about providers. This bill requires a registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. on site at all times in residential care, lets the government cap home care charges, and requires more provider information to be published.

Broader context

After the 2018 Four CornersAn ABC investigative TV program whose 2018 episode helped trigger public pressure for aged care reform. program "Who Cares?" exposed serious neglect in aged care, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and SafetyThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced. found in April 2021 that the system needed deep reform, while existing rules still allowed gaps in 24-hour nursing, home care exit fees and public information about providers. The 2022 bill translated part of that agenda into law by mandating round-the-clock registered nurses in residential care, tightening home care charges and lifting transparency, with the nurse requirement taking effect from 1 July 2023.

Key criticism

The main criticism was that the 24-hour registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. rule was being rolled out too fast, without enough detail on exemptions, staffing and support for small rural and regional homes, which critics said could leave providers unable to comply or even force closures. That concern was raised most strongly by Coalition speakers and amendments, while some crossbenchers who supported the bill also wanted tighter scrutiny of the exemption rules and more implementation detail.

Who supported it?

Anika Wells MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.

Introduced in House 27 July 2022
Passed House 08 Sept 2022
Passed Senate 27 Oct 2022
Became law 09 Nov 2022

Did it become law?

Yes

Became law 09 Nov 2022

Final passage

Passed without a counted vote

7 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.

Passage speed

105 days

From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

Meaning

What does this bill do?

  1. Residential aged care homes covered by the law must have at least one registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. on site and working at all times from 1 July 2023.

  2. Aged care homes can get a temporary exemption from the round-the-clock nurse rule for no more than 12 months at a time.

  3. The government must publicly name aged care providers and facilities that get an exemption from the nurse rule, and show how long it lasts.

  4. Home care providers can no longer charge older people a fee just for ending their home care services.

  5. The law lets the government set rules about what home care providers can charge and requires more public information about aged care services and providers.

Show source excerpts
  1. (2) The provider must, on and after 1 July 2023, ensure at least one registered nurse (within the meaning of the Health Insurance Act 1973) is on site, and on duty, at all times at the residential facility.
    Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) as-passed bill text
  2. (b) provide that such an exemption that is granted to an approved provider in relation to a residential facility must not be in force for more than 12 months; and
    Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) as-passed bill text
  3. (5) If an exemption from this section is granted to an approved provider in relation to a residential facility, the Secretary must make publicly available information about the exemption, including:
    Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) as-passed bill text
  4. (aa) not to charge for ceasing to provide the care to the care recipient;
    Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) as-passed bill text
  5. The amendments in Schedule 3 to the Bill provide that the Secretary of the Department of Health and Aged Care must publish information relating to aged care services, including approved providers of those aged care services, as specified in the Information Principles 2014. This will increase transparency and accountability, help older Australians and their families to understand key details of a provider’s operations, and empower older Australians to make more informed care choices.
    Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) explanatory memorandum

Context

Broader context for this bill

After the 2018 Four CornersAn ABC investigative TV program whose 2018 episode helped trigger public pressure for aged care reform. program "Who Cares?" exposed serious neglect in aged care, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and SafetyThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced. found in April 2021 that the system needed deep reform, while existing rules still allowed gaps in 24-hour nursing, home care exit fees and public information about providers. The 2022 bill translated part of that agenda into law by mandating round-the-clock registered nurses in residential care, tightening home care charges and lifting transparency, with the nurse requirement taking effect from 1 July 2023.

  1. 2018

    Four CornersAn ABC investigative TV program whose 2018 episode helped trigger public pressure for aged care reform. airs "Who Cares?" on aged care neglect

    The ABCThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which aired the Four Corners investigation mentioned on the page. investigation became a recognised trigger for the later Royal CommissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced. by exposing mistreatment and failures in residential aged care.

    Hansard ↗
  2. Apr 2021

    Royal CommissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced. calls for fundamental aged care reform

    The commission's final report set out 148 recommendations and described a system needing major change, creating the policy basis for later legislation.

    Hansard ↗
  3. 27 July 2022

    Government introduces the aged care reform bill

    The government presented the bill as an urgent first step to put nurses back into nursing homes and improve dignity, transparency and charges in aged care.

    Hansard ↗
  4. 27 Oct 2022

    Parliament passes the bill

    Both houses agreed to the same text, clearing the way for the reforms on 24/7 nursing, home care fees and provider information to become law.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  5. 09 Nov 2022

    Royal Assent turns the bill into law

    Royal Assent enacted the package and allowed its staged changes to move from parliamentary approval into legal operation.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  6. 01 July 2023

    Round-the-clock registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. rule starts in aged care homes

    From this date, covered residential aged care facilities were required to have at least one registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. on site and on duty at all times, subject to time-limited exemptions.

    Australian Parliament House ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 27 July 2022

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 27 July 2022

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Community Affairs review 28 July 2022

Referred to Committee (28/07/2022): Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (02/09/2022)

Referred to committee

APH bill page notes
Second reading debate 07 Sept 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate 08 Sept 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

House second reading agreed 08 Sept 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

House agreed to amendment packages 08 Sept 2022

The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.

Consideration in detail debate

House third reading agreed 08 Sept 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 26 Sept 2022

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 26 Sept 2022

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 27 Oct 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate second reading agreed 27 Oct 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Committee of the Whole debate 27 Oct 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate third reading agreed 27 Oct 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Passed both houses 27 Oct 2022

Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 09 Nov 2022

The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

The main criticism was that the 24-hour registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. rule was being rolled out too fast, without enough detail on exemptions, staffing and support for small rural and regional homes, which critics said could leave providers unable to comply or even force closures. That concern was raised most strongly by Coalition speakers and amendments, while some crossbenchers who supported the bill also wanted tighter scrutiny of the exemption rules and more implementation detail.

Criticism focused mainly on implementation and safeguards, not opposition to aged care reform itself.

Rural services may not be able to meet the nurse rule in time

Critics said bringing in a 24/7 registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. requirement from July 2023 was too fast for small rural and regional providers that already struggle to recruit staff. They warned some homes could be unable to comply, or could be pushed toward service cuts or closure, unless the timeline, workforce support and exemptions were clearer.

Raised by Coalition MPs including Anne Webster and Sam Birrell, with similar warnings from Mark Coulton and Helen Haines Source ↗

Exemption rules were too vague and left too much to later regulations

A second concern was that the bill did not spell out enough about how nurse exemptions would work, who would qualify, and what information providers would have to publish. Critics wanted draft instruments tabled first or stronger parliamentary control over the later rules so the safeguards could be checked before the scheme took effect.

Raised by Coalition amendments in the Senate and crossbench MPs such as Kate Chaney, Monique Ryan and Sophie Scamps Source ↗

The bill was seen as too narrow to fix wider care quality problems

Some criticism was not against the bill's core measures, but against how limited they were. Senators noted that broader problems in aged care, including restrictive practices and inadequate allied health, were still unresolved and needed urgent action beyond this bill.

Raised by Senator Rice's second-reading amendment, defeated by the Senate Source ↗

Further sources

parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗

Votes

Recorded votes

How the bill itself passed

The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.

Passed

House passed the bill

House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

08 Sept 2022

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Passed

Senate passed the bill

Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

27 Oct 2022

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Amendments at a glance

Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.

House

Carried

Reject Mayo reasonable-charges amendment

Aye 70 No 65

Passed 70 to 65. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

08 Sept 2022

This defeated a proposal to require a schedule of reasonable charges for administration, services and equipment supplied to home-care recipients.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 59 / 0
Unknown 11 / 30
Liberal Party 0 / 16
Nationals 0 / 9
Independent 0 / 7
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Katter's Australian Party 0 / 1
Carried

Call for draft rules before rollout

Aye 74 No 61

Passed 74 to 61. Support came from Labor and Greens. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Centre Alliance, Katter's Australian Party, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

08 Sept 2022

This was a second-reading statement vote about whether the bill should proceed before the government had shown the detailed delegated rules it intended to use.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 59 / 0
Unknown 14 / 27
Liberal Party 0 / 16
Nationals 0 / 9
Independent 0 / 7
Greens 1 / 0
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Katter's Australian Party 0 / 1
Carried

Tighten nurse exemption safeguards

Aye 75 No 12

Passed 75 to 12. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, and Greens. Opposition came from Centre Alliance, Katter's Australian Party, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

08 Sept 2022

This strengthened the bill’s exemption framework for the 24-hour registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. rule before the bill’s passage through the House.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 48 / 0
Unknown 18 / 3
Independent 0 / 7
Liberal Party 6 / 0
Nationals 2 / 0
Greens 1 / 0
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Katter's Australian Party 0 / 1
Carried

House of Representatives agreed to Government amendment

The APH progress record says 1 Government amendment was agreed without a counted division being collected by this run.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Senate

Carried

Account for regional nurse-exemption impacts

Aye 43 No 20

Passed 43 to 20. Support came from Liberal Party, Greens, Nationals, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

27 Oct 2022

This was a second-reading statement vote, so it recorded the Senate's view on regional and small-provider impacts rather than changing the bill's legal text.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 16
Liberal Party 14 / 0
Greens 13 / 0
Unknown 7 / 4
Nationals 5 / 0
Independent 1 / 0
Jacqui Lambie Network 1 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
UAP 1 / 0
Defeated

Call for allied health and restraint reform

Aye 13 No 46

Defeated 13 to 46. Support came from minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. One cross-floor vote was recorded: Penny Allman-Payne (Greens) voted no. Greens had split recorded votes.

27 Oct 2022

This was a defeated second-reading statement vote, so it did not change the bill but recorded concerns about broader care-quality issues beyond the bill's core measures.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 16
Greens 12 / 1
Liberal Party 0 / 13
Unknown 0 / 11
Nationals 0 / 2
Independent 1 / 0
Jacqui Lambie Network 0 / 1
One Nation 0 / 1
UAP 0 / 1
Defeated

Call for draft rules before rollout

Aye 30 No 33

Defeated 30 to 33. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Jacqui Lambie Network, and One Nation. Opposition came from Labor and minor parties and independents. One cross-floor vote was recorded: Penny Allman-Payne (Greens) voted aye. Greens had split recorded votes. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

27 Oct 2022

This was another second-reading statement vote focused on whether the government should expose the detailed rules before the reform commenced.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 16
Liberal Party 15 / 0
Greens 1 / 12
Unknown 7 / 4
Nationals 4 / 0
Independent 0 / 1
Jacqui Lambie Network 1 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
UAP 1 / 0
Defeated

Tighten nurse exemption safeguards

Aye 30 No 34

Defeated 30 to 34. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Jacqui Lambie Network, and One Nation. Opposition came from Labor and minor parties and independents. One cross-floor vote was recorded: Penny Allman-Payne (Greens) voted aye. Greens had split recorded votes. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

27 Oct 2022

The bill left committee without those opposition changes, so the government’s exemption framework for 24-hour nursing remained in place.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 16
Liberal Party 16 / 0
Greens 1 / 12
Unknown 7 / 5
Nationals 4 / 0
Independent 0 / 1
Jacqui Lambie Network 1 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0

These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.

The parliamentary record also shows 1 Government amendment agreed without a counted division.

Parliamentary debate

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Sponsor speech Supports

Anika Wells

Australian Labor Party • MP 27 July 2022

Anika Wells strongly supports the bill, saying it will begin restoring dignity, quality and humanity to aged care by putting nurses back in homes, capping home care administration charges, and improving transparency.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead opposing voice Opposes

Anne Webster

National Party • MP 07 Sept 2022

Webster opposes the bill as drafted because she says the government has brought the 24/7 registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. requirement forward too quickly for regional and rural aged-care providers to staff, fund and comply with it.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead supporting voice Supports

Anne Ruston

Liberal Party • Senator 27 Oct 2022

Ruston says the coalition will support the bill, but only reluctantly, because it advances useful aged-care reforms while relying too heavily on rushed delegated legislation and leaving major details unresolved.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead non-major voice Supports

Helen Haines

Independent • MP 07 Sept 2022

Helen Haines supports the bill because she wants the aged care royal commissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced. reforms implemented, especially 24-hour registered nurses and greater transparency for consumers.

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

17 speakers · 18 contributions · 17 support

  1. Brian Mitchell Mitchell supports the bill and says it is a key part of Labor's plan to fix aged care by implementing royal commissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced. recommendations, including 24/7 registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. staffing and better accountability.
    “This bill before the House today is a keystone in Labor's plan to fix the aged-care system. It ensures that some of the most significant changes to the aged-care structure can be implemented, thereby adhering to the recommendations of the aged-care royal commission and ensuring that Labor uphold the commitments we made to the people at the election.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Shayne Neumann Shayne Neumann supports the bill and says it is an early step in fixing the aged care system after years of neglect and underfunding by the former coalition government.
    “This government will act. We will act on aged care. We will give people the dignity, the security and the humanity that they deserve. I'm pleased to support this legislation. It's part of the first steps that the Albanese Labor government is taking to address the myriad failings of those opposite on aged care.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Anika Wells ★ 2 contributions Anika Wells strongly supports the bill, saying it will begin restoring dignity, quality and humanity to aged care by putting nurses back in homes, capping home care administration charges, and improving transparency.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Anika Wells, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Moved amendment Australian Labor Party • MP • 27 July 2022

    Anika Wells strongly supports the bill, saying it will begin restoring dignity, quality and humanity to aged care by putting nurses back in homes, capping home care administration charges, and improving transparency. She presents it as the government delivering on royal commissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced. recommendations and its election commitments.

    “This bill takes that no-brainer idea from Emmy Monash and makes it the standard for all aged-care homes in Australia.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 08 Sept 2022

    Anika Wells supports the bill and says it is an early opportunity to act on the royal commissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced.’s recommendations by improving oversight, limiting administration charges, and putting quality and safety for older Australians first. She rejects the member for Mayo’s proposed amendment, but still commends the bill to the House.

    “The royal commission told us that we need to do better, and this bill is our earliest opportunity to take steps on that journey. The bill makes important practical changes to the delivery of aged-care services and it provides greater oversight of what funds are being used for. Importantly, this bill also introduces limits on amounts that can be spent on administration costs as opposed to direct care. These measures put the quality and safety of older Australians first.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
  4. Ged Kearney Kearney supports the bill and says it is part of Labor's plan to fix aged care by putting nurses back into nursing homes, mandating care minutes, and capping home-care fees.
    “This bill takes several important steps towards fixing the aged-care crisis. Change takes time, and we don't believe things will be fixed immediately, but change means fixing many things, monitoring them and continuing to talk to workers, residents and other people in this sector to understand how the reforms are progressing.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. Rob Mitchell Mitchell supports the bill and says it will deliver urgent aged care reforms, including stronger standards and 24-hour registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. coverage.
    “This bill is about delivering on what we promised. Think about having a registered nurse in an aged-care home 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Most of us would think that that should be in place. It's a no-brainer, really. Why hasn't it happened? Why did we go through years of cuts to aged-care budgets, cuts to staff and cuts to the treatment of the workforce there? From July next year the legislation will introduce a new responsibility for providers of residential aged care and specific kinds of flexible care to have a registered nurse on site and on duty at each home 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  6. Lisa Chesters Lisa Chesters supports the bill and says it is long overdue because it starts to fix the crisis in aged care, including staffing, transparency and home-care fee caps.
    “It gives me great pleasure to rise to speak in favour of the legislation that is before us, the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022. These reforms to aged care are long overdue, and one of the key commitments of the Labor government is to rebuild the aged-care sector to restore dignity, quality and humanity back into aged care.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 08 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  7. Peta Murphy Murphy supports the bill and says it is part of fixing a broken aged care system by improving transparency, integrity and accountability.
    “This legislation improves transparency of information. It improves integrity and accountability in aged care so that we know what aged-care providers are spending money on and it provides valuable information about providers' operations. There will be consultation—it's already underway—about delegated legislation to form robust and evidence based policy. This is a system that we have to fix. We can't afford not to. There's a moral imperative and there's an economic imperative. The people we represent want this done. The government will do it steadfastly and as swiftly as possible.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  8. Louise Miller-Frost Miller-Frost supports the bill as an important first step in aged care reform, saying it will lift standards, cap some home-care fees, and improve transparency about provider spending.
    “All Australians deserve to be supported with dignity and humanity in their twilight years. This bill is a strong start towards making that a reality for all older Australians, their friends and their loved ones. We understand that aged care is a system, from home care to residential care, the intensive services provided for dementia and palliative care, but it needs to be a system that can be navigated easily. When people are putting their loved ones either through services at home or into aged-care facilities, they should feel confident they are getting the care they need, they are getting the food they need and that they'll have quality of life in those last years. That is what we all expect for ourselves and our loved ones. I commend this bill.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  9. Fiona Phillips Fiona Phillips supports the bill, arguing that i would like to take this opportunity to thank all our aged-care workers.
    “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our aged-care workers. Everyone who works in our aged-care homes, whether they're our aged-care workers, our cooks, our cleaners, our nurses, our people working in admin: you are all important.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  10. Tony Zappia Tony Zappia supports the bill as a needed start to aged care reform, saying it begins to improve transparency, staffing and home-care fee limits.
    “This legislation picks up on some of the recommendations of the royal commission. Yes, there is a lot more to do. And, yes, delivering on even the requirements within this legislation can be challenging. But it's a start in the right direction. I'm pleased to see that the government is making it their priority and I'm more than happy to say: 'Let's work through these issues one at a time so that we can ensure that the Australians that ultimately end up in aged-care facilities get the services and the support they need.'”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  11. Steve Georganas Georganas strongly supports the bill and says it delivers the government's aged care reforms, including transparency, stronger governance, higher wages for workers and better protection for older Australians.
    “I'm very proud that the government has brought this bill forward and honoured its commitment to older Australians and to implementing the royal commission. I think the government is taking the right steps in ensuring that we implement all practical measures to guarantee older Australians get the aged care that they deserve.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  12. Katy Gallagher Gallagher supports the bill, saying it delivers key aged care reforms on nursing care, pricing and transparency.
    “This Bill takes several important steps towards delivering improved nursing care, pricing and transparency and demonstrates this Government's commitment to putting security, dignity, quality, and humanity back into aged care.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 26 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  13. Alicia Payne Payne strongly supports the bill, saying it is part of Labor's plan to fix the aged care crisis by putting nurses back into nursing homes, lifting wages, capping home care fees and improving transparency.
    “I rise today to speak in support of this bill, the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022, which will stop the neglect and return security, dignity, quality and humanity to aged care.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  14. Murray Watt Watt says Labor supports the bill because it advances aged-care reform, adds 24-hour nursing, caps some home-care charges, and improves transparency.
    “This is a very good piece of legislation and I encourage all senators to support it.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 27 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  15. Josh Burns Burns supports the bill because it begins implementing royal commissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced. recommendations, especially 24-hour registered nurses in aged care and tighter transparency around provider costs.
    “This bill clearly makes the important reform of getting 24-hour nurses in our aged-care settings. It makes the important reform of providing more transparency in our aged-care sector to give people more confidence. It takes an important step on the road of answering and implementing the recommendations of the royal commission report, titled Neglect. Our older Australians, our senior Australians, have given everything to this country. The least this country can do is give them a bit of respect and a bit of dignity and support those who are looking after them by providing better pay, better conditions and a better aged-care sector that we can all be proud of.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  16. Emma McBride McBride supports the bill and says it should be urgently implemented because it begins the reform needed to fix a broken aged care system.
    “That's why it's crucial this legislation, the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022, is supported and urgently implemented.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  17. Peter Khalil Peter Khalil backs the bill because Labor says it will restore care to aged care by requiring 24-hour registered nurses, capping home-care fees, and making provider spending more transparent.
    “'Neglect' is probably the best single word that can be used to describe how they have been treated, or not treated. That is a simple yet poignant way this issue has been described by others. That is why the Albanese government have committed to putting the care back into aged care. We want to rewrite that, reverse that neglect and actually care. It's what we promised at the last election and it is what we are delivering with the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022, which will implement three of our urgent reforms to aged care.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 08 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Coalition

9 speakers · 10 contributions · 3 support · 3 oppose · 3 mixed

  1. Anne Ruston ★ Ruston says the coalition will support the bill, but only reluctantly, because it advances useful aged-care reforms while relying too heavily on rushed delegated legislation and leaving major details unresolved.
    “Current workforce constraints and the extreme reliance in this bill on delegated legislation, the details of which have not been released by the government, is disrespectful to the aged-care sector and remains a serious concern for the opposition. Notwithstanding the very serious concerns the opposition have about this bill, we will always support improvements to care for older Australians and, therefore, we will be supporting this bill in the Senate.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 27 Oct 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Sussan Ley Ley says the opposition supports aged care reform in principle, but will not let this bill pass until the government tables the draft subordinate legislation and explains how the new nurse and transparency rules will work.
    “So, in conclusion, and to speak to my amendment, the opposition strongly supports improving the aged-care sector and the care provided to our older Australians. However, the extreme reliance of this bill on delegated legislation, the details of which have not been released by the government, denies the parliament the opportunity to scrutinise the impact of this legislation. That's why our amendment has been introduced—to ensure the government, who was elected on a platform of transparency, provides the necessary information to allow for adequate parliamentary scrutiny of this bill. We propose that further consideration of this bill be postponed until such time as the draft legislative instruments relating to schedule 1 and schedule 3 of the bill are tabled in parliament.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Michelle Landry Michelle Landry says the opposition supports the bill's home-care pricing and transparency reforms, but is worried that the 24-hour nurse requirement for residential aged care is being brought in too early and without enough detail or support for providers.
    “Given the government have brought the start date of this recommendation forward by a year, they must specifically outline what support will be provided to regional and rural providers and other providers already struggling with viability and workforce challenges. The government must outline how they plan to get the additional nurses into aged-care homes in regional and rural aged-care facilities, following their jobs summit. The opposition supports the royal commission's recommendation on 24/7 RNs in aged-care facilities where it is possible by 2024 and in line with the royal commission recommendation.”

    National Party • MP • 08 Sept 2022

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  4. Anne Webster ★ Webster opposes the bill as drafted because she says the government has brought the 24/7 registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. requirement forward too quickly for regional and rural aged-care providers to staff, fund and comply with it.
    “Labor should stick to the previous government's time line for the implementation of 24-7 nurses as recommended by the royal commission for 2024 and put in place incentives for training the needed RNs for regional settings in a regional setting. Labor should reveal the details of its proposed delegated legislation so it can be scrutinised by parliament and the parliament can determine if it's suitable for aged-care providers, especially rural ones. Labor needs to state its plan to get more nurses into the regions so regional aged-care providers can provide this quality care.”

    National Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

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  5. Gavin Pearce Pearce says the opposition supports the aged care reform in principle and backs parts of the bill, but he wants major details on workforce, exemptions and regional impacts before he is prepared to vote for it.
    “I'd like these questions answered before we vote on this bill. I can guarantee you that there are a lot of caring providers out there that would like to see exactly the same information provided.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

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  6. Sam Birrell Birrell opposes the bill in its current form and backs the amendment because he says it lacks enough detail, especially on exemptions for small regional aged-care providers.
    “I support the amendment proposed by the member for Farrer. The concerns the opposition have about the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 are shared by providers in my electorate of Nicholls. The bill does not contain adequate detail or an acknowledgement of the complexity of the many issues. It fails to outline an exemption framework that would give comfort to small aged-care providers, ensuring that they won't be unfairly impacted by the changes. This is a loose legislative framework, and there are aged-care providers that have tried and failed to find out from this government what their fate will be when the full regulations are finally implemented.”

    National Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

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  7. Mark Coulton Coulton supports the bill in principle because aged care reform is needed, but he warns it could have unintended consequences for small regional facilities and says exemptions are needed so they do not close.
    “This is seriously one of the biggest issues we're facing as a country. By the time baby boomers, like me, need that higher care, not only is the expense going to be higher for the government; we're also going to need a workforce. That's the other side of it. I am supportive of reform now because the issues around aged care are only going to multiply as baby boomers need that higher level of care. I am just expressing extreme caution on putting legislation that may ultimately lead to some facilities having to close. That would be a complete disaster.”

    National Party • MP • 07 Sept 2022

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  8. Rowan Ramsey Ramsey supports the bill's aged care reforms, saying stronger standards and investment are needed, especially in rural and regional areas where staffing shortages are worse.
    “I rise to support the amendments to the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022. Aged care of course is a very important issue within all of our communities. As I often say in this place, I come from one of the most rural and regional electorates in Australia. It is a great concern to me how these individual units are affected by any changes we make in this place. We are all very aware that staffing issues are a problem right across the industry, but they're more acute in rural and regional Australia than they are in the cities.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 08 Sept 2022

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  9. Slade Brockman 2 contributions Brockman says the coalition will move a second reading amendment and is not prepared to back the bill as drafted because it could hurt small rural and regional aged-care providers.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Slade Brockman, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Second reading speech Liberal Party • Senator • 27 Oct 2022

    Brockman says the coalition will move a second reading amendment and is not prepared to back the bill as drafted because it could hurt small rural and regional aged-care providers. He wants the supporting regulations and exemption clauses before the changes are implemented, arguing the timetable does not match the royal commissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced. response and may cause negative impacts.

    “In responding to the aged-care royal commission in this bill, we are seeing a time frame that isn't consistent with the royal commission's final report and something that does potentially have some negative impacts, particularly on those rural and regional providers I spoke about earlier. I will now end my remarks there, and I will formally move my second reading amendment.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Moved amendment Liberal Party • Senator • 27 Oct 2022

    Brockman opposes the bill in its current form and moves a second reading amendment to delay further consideration until draft instruments on nurse exemptions and public reporting are tabled. His position is that the Senate should not proceed until those key details are available.

    “I move the second reading amendment as circulated in my name on behalf of the opposition:”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

Greens

1 speaker · 1 support

  1. Janet Rice Rice says the Greens support the bill and want it passed quickly because it will improve aged care for older Australians, especially by strengthening nursing requirements.
    “This is important legislation. We want to see it passed, and we want to see it passed today. It needs to be passed today to be supporting older Australians. We have a second reading amendment reflecting our advocacy on restrictive practices and allied health care, which are issues I will continue to engage on. I am very pleased to be able to share the Greens support for this legislation. We hope it will be passed by the Senate today.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 27 Oct 2022

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Minor parties and independents

9 speakers · 9 support

  1. Helen Haines ★ Helen Haines supports the bill because she wants the aged care royal commissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced. reforms implemented, especially 24-hour registered nurses and greater transparency for consumers.
    “I will be supporting the second reading amendment tabled by the member for Farrer, which said:”

    Independent • MP • 07 Sept 2022

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  2. Rebekha Sharkie Sharkie supports the bill and says it will deliver practical aged care reforms, but she wants stronger primary legislation and clearer rules in the bill itself rather than leaving key details to subordinate legislation.
    “I thank the government for processing these long-awaited reforms. I do commend this bill, and I seek support for my substantive amendment to the bill and for my second reading amendment, which I have already detailed. We need to ensure that there is prompt implementation in order to make a difference for older Australians living in residential aged care and older Australians who are in receipt of, or desperately seeking, a home-care package.”

    Centre Alliance • MP • 07 Sept 2022

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  3. Zali Steggall Steggall supports the bill and says it brings forward good measures to fix three major gaps identified by the royal commissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced..
    “This bill brings forward good measures to address three key gaps that were revealed by the royal commission into aged care. It's vital the implementation of these schedules is done thoughtfully and carefully so that meaningful changes can succeed. I again wish to thank those who work so hard to provide quality care within this sector. Their contributions are vital to our older Australians in our communities. It's time we ensure that the unacceptable standards of the past are amended. I look forward to continued action from the government and the minister and to seeing this happen.”

    Independent • MP • 08 Sept 2022

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  4. Dai Le Dai Le supports the aged care reform package in principle, saying the government should act to improve affordability and care, but she argues the staffing changes in schedule 1 need much better planning, training and workforce support before they can work.
    “While I commend the government for acting in aged care and continuing the reform by the previous government, this cannot become a tokenistic gesture to stop the cries for help from senior Australians, nurses and the families that just want affordable and quality care for their loved ones.”

    Independent • MP • 08 Sept 2022

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  5. Zoe Daniel Zoe Daniel says she is broadly supportive of the bill, but wants the government to spell out its impact on small providers in the city and the country and to avoid rushing changes that have not been fully considered.
    “So, while I am broadly supportive of this legislation, the opposition has proposed an amendment calling on the government to reveal the impact of this on small providers in the cities and the country, in rural, regional and remote Australia. It's a sensible amendment that I support. All members of parliament should have the ability to scrutinise the effect of legislation—whether it does what it's intended to do or falls short—and I urge the government to take a look at what I believe is the intent of this amendment.”

    Independent • MP • 07 Sept 2022

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  6. David Pocock David Pocock supports the bill, saying it is a welcome first step that implements part of the royal commissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced.’s aged care reforms by requiring a registered nurseA qualified nurse who must be on site and on duty in covered residential aged care homes under this bill. on site at all times.
    “This is a welcome first step to acknowledge that and start to put things in place to ensure that not only nurses are better supported but also people in aged care are better supported.”

    Independent • Senator • 27 Oct 2022

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  7. Kate Chaney Chaney supports the bill as an early step toward aged care reform and wants it to pass, but says it is only a small start and needs stronger scrutiny of exemptions and broader follow-up legislation.
    “The amendments to the bill proposed today by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Mayo require greater detail on these potential exemptions, which would allow appropriate scrutiny and discussion. I will be supporting these amendments. It is important that the implementation of these changes not be delayed, but proper scrutiny of the proposed exemptions is required to ensure a balance between access to better care and practical and geographical constraints.”

    Independent • MP • 07 Sept 2022

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  8. Sophie Scamps Scamps supports the bill and says it will improve dignity, transparency and care for older Australians by requiring 24-hour registered nurses and tighter home-care fee rules.
    “I am satisfied, however, that the legislation provides sufficient support to assist with the transition. I do agree, however, with Senator Pocock's concerns outlined in the Senate report that there needs to be further rigour around exemptions.”

    Independent • MP • 07 Sept 2022

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  9. Monique Ryan Ryan supports the bill because she says the royal commissionThe official inquiry that investigated aged care failures and recommended major reform before this bill was introduced.’s recommendations must be implemented, including 24/7 registered nurses and tighter controls on aged care costs and fees.
    “The royal commission into aged care heard testimony after testimony that laid bare the worst of their warnings, horrors that no-one could wish upon their worst enemy let alone their sick, elderly mother or father, their uncle or their aunt. That report titled Neglect is a national shame but is also an opportunity. The full suite of recommendations from the royal commission must be implemented, and I'm pleased today to support the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 to get started on doing just that.”

    Independent • MP • 07 Sept 2022

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