Release date: 16 May 2019

The aged care peak body Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) has received responses from the three major parties to its ‘Five Urgent Priorities for Aged Care’ Election Statement and is disappointed that the Royal Commission is still being used to delay urgent reforms.

The ‘Five Urgent Priorities for Aged Care’, released on April 29, are practical and simple ideas that can be progressed in parliament, ahead of the Royal Commission delivering its recommendations.

Patricia Sparrow, CEO of ACSA has said, “While there have been a number of individual policy announcements, these fall short of addressing fundamental and urgent needs in the aged care sector.

“The responses from the parties have agreed that the crisis facing aged care warranted a Royal Commission but have largely ignored the big issues older Australians face in the election campaign.

“We are disappointed to say the least that the parties are using the Royal Commission as an excuse to delay implementing practical solutions.

“The incoming government, whomever it will may be, needs to relieve the significant pressures on services for older Australians right now.

“Older Australians can’t keep waiting on the recommendations from the Royal Commission.

“ACSA is preparing an incoming government brief to quickly engage after polling day. We won’t be waiting for the Royal Commission to push for urgent reforms,” Ms Sparrow said.

The responses from the political parties are available on request

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