Aged care minister delivers bill to enact inspector general

Aged care minister Anika Wells has introduced legislation before parliament to enshrine the position of inspector-general of aged care into law.

Wells delivered the Inspector-General of Aged Care Bill 2023 this morning to establish an office that would provide independent oversight of the nation's aged care system.

In December last year, Wells appointed Ian Yates to the interim position, citing Yates' decorated career making him the "perfect candidate."

"Yates brings a wealth of experience to the role of interim inspector-general for aged care," Wells said.

"This role demonstrates our commitment to driving positive change in the aged care system.

"Through this role, the inspector-general will provide the means for independent oversight, increased transparency and accountability in the sector."

Yates took up the interim position on January 30th 2023, and operated under administrative arrangements while waiting for legislation to pass.

The appointment of an independent statutory office was the 12th recommendation made by the Royal Commission in March 2021.

The Commission said the role would help to improve transparency and accountability across the aged care system whichwas facing 'long-standing systematic problems.'

The umpire's 2021 report shook the sector's foundations after highlighting it lacked leadership, 'variable provider behaviour,' and inadequate funding.

"The aged care system currently lacks an entity responsible for providing independent oversight of, or for reviewing, systemic issues and driving improvement," the report said.

"Government should establish an independent office of the inspector-general to investigate, monitor and report on the administration and governance of the aged care system."

Yates' primary tasks will be conferring with aged care stakeholders to create a review program to publish frequent reports.

He said the office would also be tracking the progress made in implementing the recommendations made by the Royal Commission.

"Key metric for testing whether reforms are effective will achieve better outcomes for older people and their families," Yates said.

"I will work with older Australians and the sector to understand the issues affecting their experiences of aged care, highlighting problems and recommending solutions to drive positive change across the system."

The two pieces of legislation will amend the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018, so information can be shared with the inspector-general.

It will also make 'consequential and transitional adjustments' to Commonwealth laws to allow the enactment of the position.

Once Yates is officially in office, he can report on any Commonwealth department within the inspector general's remit, such as the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and any other part of the system.

He's also permitted to review parts of the aged care system or any issue it might face.

"It's part of having oversight and deciding what aspects might be useful to review in depth to improve the aged care system," Yates said. 

"I am confident we can help build community confidence in an accountable and transparent aged care system that meets the diverse needs of older Australians, their families and carers."

After receiving feedback from aged care stakeholders, the federal health department released a draft consultation paper on March 3rd, detailing the scope of the inspector general's role.

The federal government has laid aside $38.7m over the next four years from 2022-23 to support and establish the Inspector-General.

The Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023 is awaiting its third reading, depending on whether the house of representatives will amend the bill. 

Do you have an idea for a story?
Email [email protected]