On 1st March 2021, Australia’s Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety tabled a Report: Care Dignity and Respect, which highlighted the declining quality of aged care for elderly Australians due to decreasing funding levels (AU$ 9.8bn cut over two decades) by successive governments.
The federal government responded by providing AU$452m to the sector but the question of generating funds still remains. Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged the Commission’s call for a needs-based funding system. While Pagone, one of the commissioners suggested funding the entire system through a levy with funds set aside for aged care, another one recommended a financial contribution from users. However, the report suggests that decisions on introducing new taxes and levies require political support and consensus.
Care, Dignity and Respect- Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
Read here the full article originally published in The Guardian.
Image credits: Biospectrum Asia
