Labor’s key election aged care pledge called into question

A key plank of Labor’s $2.5 billion aged care strategy has been called into question by a senior ALP frontbencher.

A key plank of Labor’s aged care strategy has been called into question by a senior ALP frontbencher, with shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus suggesting that a pledge to put an aged care nurse in every nursing home, 24/7, might need to be “pause(d)”.

Last Thursday, opposition leader Anthony Albanese announced that “under a Labor Government, every aged care facility will be required to have a registered, qualified nurse on site, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week” as part of his pledge to “ensure older Australians receive the aged care they deserve.”

Speaking on ABC Radio in Melbourne Monday evening, however, Mr Dreyfus suggested that this might not be possible any time soon.

Questioned by host Raf Epstein about the feasibility of the pledge Mr Dreyfus said, “we’re talking about setting the standard and if it is in fact true that there are not enough nurses in Australia to provide that level of care we should train more.”

“It might be that it turns out we’ve got to pause it,” he said.

Labor’s Mark Dreyfus suggested his party’s aged care reform pledge might not be possible any time soon.

“Obviously if you’ve set the standard and there’s just not staff there then that’s’ something that’s going to have to be looked at.”

Last year the Aged Care Royal Commission called for nurses in every aged care facility by July 1, 2024, something which the government has already said it supported.

Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck was quick to jump on the shadow Attorney-General’s comments.

“Mark Dreyfus has admitted Labor would have to pause its promise of an earlier rollout of 24/7 nurses in aged care,” Mr Colbeck said.

“It has ignored the advice of the Aged Care Royal Commission and claimed they would introduce 24/7 nurses a year ahead of schedule.

Anthony Albanese pledged to “ensure older Australians receive the aged care they deserve.”

A key plank of Labor’s aged care strategy has now been called into question.

“Today, Mark Dreyfus conceded Labor couldn’t do it if there are insufficient nurse numbers.

“The Morrison Government supports 24/7 nurses in aged care in the time frame recommended by the Royal Commission.

“Rolling out the strategy any sooner risks the closure of aged care facilities with a serious risk to residents.

“We are investing $3.9 billion in funding to support the increase in nursing and direct care minutes.”

Originally published as Labor’s key election aged care pledge called into question