Aged care at the forefront of voters’ minds: ANU poll

Repairing the aged care system remains a major priority for voters ahead of the federal election, a new Australian National University poll shows.

Researchers asked more than 3,500 Australians about their views on current issues less than a fortnight before polling day.

Behind high costs of living, over 60 per cent believed that fixing the aged care system should be a key policy issue for the winning party. 

Overall, the survey results indicated an “election-winning position” for federal Labor, according to study co-author professor Nicholas Biddle.

"Voting intention data is reinforced by ongoing low confidence in the federal government – still at its lowest level since the Black Summer bushfire crisis,” he said.

“Voters [are] prioritising policy areas that the government is struggling to create a positive narrative about, like cost of living, aged care and climate change."   

During last night’s second leaders' debate, aged care emerged as a key discussion point between prime minister Scott Morrison and opposition leader Anthony Albanese.

The Prime Minister said the failures seen in aged care were not caused by the Coalition's nine-year leadership, but rather had occurred "over 30 years".

Morrison then credited himself for "blowing the whistle" on the aged care system.

"The solutions are very difficult,” he said.

“When it comes to 24/7 nurses, our plan, October 2024, is to get to 16 hours out of 24 hours later this year. 

“We are investing $300 million to ensure we are building up the nursing workforce."

Anthony Albanese rebutted by saying the royal commission wouldn't have happened without pressure from the Labor party.

The opposition leader then vowed to "fix the aged care crisis" and pledged his support for a wage rise under the Fair Work Commission.

"Aged care is in crisis right now. Work has never been more insecure than it is right now," Albanese said in his closing remarks.

"I believe Australia is the greatest country on Earth. But with a better government, we can be an even better country into the future."

The final leaders debate will take place on Wednesday May 11th.

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