NewsBite

Anne Ruston

This Month

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler claims Labor has rescued bulk-billing after its “free fall” under the Coalition.

Mediscare ‘he said, she said’ insults voters’ intelligence

A Labor-Coalition electoral clash over bulk billing is not only foolish, but masks the fact that so much more needs to be done to keep our healthcare system fit for purpose.

  • Terry Barnes

December 2024

Stephen Conroy, chairman of TG Public Affairs.

Stephen Conroy goes spluttering and unhinged against the BCA

The former Labor senator went troppo at the Business Council, whose members include his own lobby clients.

  • Mark Di Stefano

September 2024

On the front line: St Vincent’s emergency department nurse manager Melanie Kelly and Dr Gonzalo Aguirrebarrena, head of the department.

‘At tipping point’: Inside one of Australia’s busiest hospitals

Doctors and nurses in Australia’s busiest emergency ward say the system is under unprecedented pressure amid a surge in mental illness and geriatric patients with nowhere else to go.

  • Michael Smith
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Aged Care Minister Anika Wells on Thursday.

Aged care concessions cost $5b in revenue

The Albanese government sacrificed about $5 billion in budget savings in return for securing the Coalition’s support for the aged care reforms.

  • Phillip Coorey
Aged Care Minister Anika Wells during a press conference in Canberra on Thursday.

Finally, politicians reach a reform deal worthy of the title

Bipartisanship and reform, two rarities these days, have combined in the shape of the age care funding changes.

  • Phillip Coorey
Advertisement

August 2024

Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler.

Aged care deal delayed amid backbench anxiety

Peter Dutton wants the approval of his MPs before confirming support for the aged care deal negotiated with the government.

  • Phillip Coorey
With the Greens engaged in their usual grandstanding, Shorten could not have secured his breakthrough without the support of the Coalition.

This week showed politics can still work in the national interest

The NDIS breakthrough, the CFMEU deal, and in-principle agreement on aged care reform shows it’s not all about the antics of crossbench issue poseurs or the confected conflict of question time.

  • Phillip Coorey
Aged Care Minister Anika Wells in parliament on Wednesday.

Aged care wait list exemption granted as parties close in on deal

The major parties have agreed in-principle to a new aged care funding model.

  • Phillip Coorey
Opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston.

Government lowers contribution caps to secure aged care deal

The Albanese government is set to lower its proposed lifetime caps in an effort seal a deal with the Coalition to secure more sustainable funding for the aged care sector.

  • Phillip Coorey
Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport Anika Wells at the Press Club in June last year.

Labor’s agenda trapped in Senate as foes sniff blood

There is a logjam of legislation currently before the parliament, and it is clear not all of it is going to make the cut before the election.

  • Phillip Coorey
Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler is expected to unveil a user pays reform package soon

Impatience grows over aged care reforms

The government is expected to release soon its long-overdue aged care reform proposals.

  • Phillip Coorey

June 2024

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells

Labor, Coalition making progress towards higher aged care fees

The Albanese government hopes for a deal as early as next week on higher aged care fees for those who can pay.

  • Phillip Coorey

May 2024

NIB chief executive Mark Fitzgibbon said tighter regulation was a better approach than an outright ban.

Replica Ozempic ban could deny thousands ‘life-changing medication’

Healthcare start-ups say the ban is a step too far and risks leaving tens of thousands of Australians without the medications they need.

  • Euan Black and Paul Smith

March 2024

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

SA byelection could help Albanese avoid minority government

Anthony Albanese will redouble efforts to win the SA seat of Sturt to ward off replicating the unfolding mess in Tasmania.

  • Phillip Coorey

Include family home in aged care means testing: think tank

Industry providers and the federal opposition are supporting moves to make wealthier retirees pay more for their care.

  • Tom McIlroy and Simon Evans
Advertisement

February 2024

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells

Family home to be spared from aged care funding revamp: PM

The Albanese government has balked at increasing the mean-test threshold on the family home that helps determine aged care fees.

  • Phillip Coorey
Opposition aged care spokeswoman Anne Ruston said delaying the review beyond Dunkley was cause for suspicion.

Delayed review tests bipartisan support for aged care reform

The opposition has accused the government of ‘hiding a secret tax on older Australians’ and sitting on a review until after the Dunkley byelection.

  • Phillip Coorey
User-pays is on the cards but the government has pushed back the release of Aged Care Minister Anika Wells’ review in the sector.

Labor goes quiet on aged-care review ahead of byelection

The Albanese government will no longer say when it plans to release contentious reform recommendations.

  • Phillip Coorey

December 2023

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells will chair the last meeting of the Aged Care Taskforce on Friday.

Appetite for user pays in aged care, says government

The government is softening up voters for increased aged care fees, citing polling that claims people are willing to pay up to 40 per cent of the cost.

  • Phillip Coorey

November 2023

The gaming industry tops many others for the use of lobbyists.

Gambling industry wins political game at democracy’s expense

The gaming industry adds little to the economy, but it is a big player when it comes to the political influence business.

  • Elizabeth Baldwin and Kate Griffiths

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/person/anne-sowerby-ruston-1n7k