Pensioners Warn New Aged Care Bill Could Erode Rights of Older People

A Senate Committee has been told that the new aged care bill will take away older people’s rights while giving service providers more control over their lives. Hannah and her husband, from regional South Australia, drove 800 kilometres to attend an inquiry hearing on Oct. 15, where they presented the views of people in their community about the Aged Care Bill 2024. The bill seeks to amend three current aged care laws, introducing significant changes in the way service providers deliver services to consumers. Key reforms include an enforceable Code of Conduct for providers, a new national funding model for residential aged care, revised restrictive practices arrangements to prevent harm to aged care residents, as well as the establishment of a new regulation body....