COTA Australia has welcomed the National Press Club address by outgoing Aged Care Inspector-General Natalie Siegel-Brown, saying it was a timely reminder that Australia’s aged care reforms must ultimately be judged by one measure: whether they improve the lives of older Australians.
Chief Executive Officer Patricia Sparrow thanked Ms Siegel-Brown for her leadership and said her address reinforced many of the principles COTA Australia has consistently advocated throughout the aged care reform process.
“Natalie Siegel-Brown has never lost sight of the people at the centre of the system. She has consistently listened to older Australians and ensured their experiences have helped shape the national conversation about aged care,” Ms Sparrow said.
“The role of the Aged Care Inspector-General is crucial. Independent oversight gives older Australians confidence that reform is being measured honestly, shortcomings are being identified and governments are being held accountable for fixing them.
“Australia is undertaking the biggest transformation of aged care in decades. Reform on that scale demands transparent scrutiny, honest evaluation and a relentless focus on whether older people are actually better off.”
Ms Sparrow said COTA Australia strongly supported the Inspector-General’s call to judge reform against first principles, outcomes and evidence, rather than process alone.
“The new Aged Care Act is built on the right intent, but good intent alone is not enough. As the Inspector-General highlighted in her speech, the implementation of reform has, in some cases, had unintended consequences for older people.
“When reform becomes complex, we need to return to first principles. Does this make life better for older Australians? Does it uphold dignity, independence and choice? If the answer is no, then we need to rethink it.”
Ms Sparrow said the Inspector-General’s address also reinforced the need to shift aged care from responding to crisis towards supporting people earlier.
“For too long we’ve had a system that waits until people reach crisis before stepping in. We need to invest earlier, helping older Australians stay healthy, independent and connected to their communities for as long as possible.
“That also means ensuring quality care and support is affordable. Older Australians should never be priced out of the care they need, and they should have genuine choice about who provides that care.”
Ms Sparrow said the National Press Club address was a reminder that while significant reform is underway, the job is far from finished.
“As the Aged Care Inspector General said, we need a system designed to deliver real outcomes for older people. COTA looks forward to continuing to advocate on behalf of older Australians to ensure that happens.”
Media contact: Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890 or Alana Mew, 0419 929 722