Treasurer Jim Chalmers mum on aged care reform details, as opposition push for legislation reveal

Changes to aged care, which may see older Australians paying more, will have to wait for at least another fortnight as negotiations continue with the Coalition.

Details on changes that could result in some older Australians paying more for aged care will remain under wraps for now, with a deal between the Albanese government and Coalition yet to be signed off on.

On Thursday, the final sitting day for a fortnight, Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said negotiations had not been finalised.

Some of the reforms touted include a means-tested user-pays model for non-health related elements in nursing homes and in-home care, while the government continues to foot the bill for medical expenses.

It’s likely the government will also waive criminal penalties of up to five years imprisonment on facility directors who failed to meet standards.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells (centre) says negotiations with the Coalition on a new aged care package are yet to be finalised. Picture: NewsWire

The viability of aged care providers is a chief concern for the government, with an estimated 50 per cent of organisations operating at a loss operators, which in turn affects the quality of care people receive.

Earlier on Thursday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers remained coy when asked about when Labor would be able to release the specific details around funding of the sector.

However, he said the months-long negotiations with the Coalition were progressing positively.

Mr Chalmers wouldn’t say whether the government had reached a deal on the Aged Care Act, however he commended the work of Health Minister Mark Butler, Aged Care Minister Annika Wells, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers wouldn’t confirm whether the government had reached a deal with the Coalition on its overhaul of how the aged care sector is funded. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

“We’ve been really focused on and cognisant of the anxieties that people might have about changes in aged care. In my view, it’s not viable (for the current system) to continue,” Mr Chalmers said.

“We’re being upfront with people that something needs to change in aged care, in order to have that higher standard of care for more people in a more sustainable way.”

He said discussions with the Coalition had been “meaningful,” and said he wanted bipartisan support on the issue.

“There has been literally years of work and months of discussions with other parties in the parliament,” he said.

“Our goal here is to deliver better care for more people as they age in a more sustainable way. “Spending on aged care will continue to grow, even if we are able to implement the sorts of reforms recommended to us by the Aged Care Task Force.”

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells later said the agreement with the coalition on the aged care Bill had still not been finalised. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ms Wells later said the agreement with the Coalition was yet to be finalised.

“The sector won’t invest if they’re not confident about the rules. The finances and care options of older Australians are just too important,” she told the ABC.

“We’ve had long constructive negotiations with the Opposition, but haven’t yet secure a formal agreement to allow us to introduce legislation.”

On Wednesday, Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley said while conversations “have been productive,” the Coalition would push for greater support for regional aged care homes.

“Can I say of my personal experience of aged care, I’m there every week with my mother, and it’s a small, regional aged care, and we want the wonderful carers and staff to be supported,” she said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, at Eldercare Seaford with celebrity cook Maggie Beer, has reforms of aged care on the government’s agenda. Picture: NewsWire

“We don’t want them tied up with paperwork or bureaucracy. We want them to do what they do best, which is look after our older Australians. But we also want guarantees for those older Australians.”

She also called on the government to release the draft legislation.

“We want every person on their aged care journey to feel supported, to feel understood, and not to be let down by this legislation,” she said.