Independents unite to demand home support for 20,000 after aged care delay (10 June 2025)
Article summary: In a coordinated move demonstrating their ongoing political influence, ten independent federal MPs have urged the Albanese government to urgently fund at least 20,000 new aged care home support packages by 1 July 2025. This call comes in response to the government’s recent decision to delay its overhaul of the aged care system—originally set for mid-2025—by five months, citing the need to give providers more time to prepare.
The delay has raised alarm among crossbench MPs, who argue that it threatens the wellbeing of tens of thousands of elderly Australians awaiting care. In a joint letter dated 10 June and addressed to Health Minister Mark Butler and Aged Care Minister Sam Rae, the MPs highlighted the risks of prolonging access to care. “Research shows that the longer people go without appropriate home care supports, the higher their risk of injury or hospitalisation,” the letter states. They also warned that the delay may jeopardise the government’s promise that no older person would wait more than 90 days for support by 2027.
Among the signatories is Western Australian MP Kate Chaney, who joined other high-profile independents such as ACT Senator David Pocock, Indi MP Dr Helen Haines, and Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie. The group includes several of the so-called "teal" independents, such as Dr Monique Ryan, Dr Sophie Scamps, Allegra Spender, and Zali Steggall.
The push for urgent funding is backed by major advocacy groups, including the Council on the Ageing (COTA) and the Older Persons Advocacy Network. These organisations have long highlighted systemic delays in aged care and voiced concern that any deferral could harm vulnerable seniors.
Senator Pocock noted that he is frequently contacted by families frustrated by the extended wait times, remarking, “We can't afford to delay this further.” Dr Haines underscored the difficulties faced in rural regions, where care provision is hampered by staffing shortages and inadequate pricing models. “We also can't delay the rollout of a pricing framework that fairly reflects the travel costs to deliver care in rural areas,” she said. Senator Lambie condemned the political failure to act over the past decade, stating that, “What the minister calls 'a brief deferral' will directly impact the lives of older Australians.”
Allegra Spender recounted “heartbreaking” stories of elderly individuals forced into residential care due to the unavailability of home support. Dr Monique Ryan added, “Older Australians shouldn't suffer because of the aged care system's failures.”
Despite Labor’s strong parliamentary majority after the May 2025 election, the independents’ joint action signals their intent to influence key policy areas by leveraging their collective voice. Their demand is for interim funding to maintain continuity under the current home care packages scheme until the government's $5.6 billion “Support at Home” program—billed as the most significant aged care reform in 30 years—is operational.
The government has yet to formally respond to the letter.
Related video: Aged Care Legislation Amendment Bill - 6 November 2024
