02 February 2023
The Hon Anika Wells MP
Minister for Aged Care
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Minister Wells
RE Privatisation of home care under Albanese Labor Government
Does the Albanese Government intend to allow the creeping privatisation of home care to continue?
Progressively, the public providers of home care namely local governments, are abandoning these services. The latest to do so in Victoria is Whitehorse City Council.
The reasons are not always clear. Whitehorse is a notable example but Council correspondence to ratepayers suggests the new federal funding model is the trigger for the decision of public providers to abandon the field. Private providers are not leaving.
Do you believe this privatisation was an intended consequence of the new funding model?
I do hope your government does not choose to just ‘pass the buck’ on this matter and simply cite Council autonomy.
I urge you to take a proactive position on this apparently unintended consequence of the new funding model. Please investigate exactly why Councils are making these decisions and do everything you can to stop this creeping privatisation.
Surely the community would not accept the total privatisation of any other part of our health system and I believe we should not accept the continuing privatisation of aged care.
Yours sincerely
Carol Williams
Founder
Elder Care Watch