Reflections of a former Chief Economist on the past 25 years of Australian Government aged care policy

Abstract

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified two key building blocks to aged care reform: independence from Government and a secure source of funding. It is telling that both the current and the previous Australian Governments rejected each of these in their response to the Royal Commission. A philosophical shift is required that places the people receiving care at the centre of quality and safety regulation. An independent Aged Care Commission with guaranteed funding though a hypothecated Aged Care Levy would, in my view, create the substrate upon which this change in philosophy can flourish.