In this submission we argue for a well-resourced Commission and a strong regulatory framework, that achieves the difficult balance between assuring the standards, safety, security and voice of older people, but also encourages provider innovation and culture change where necessary, and is not so risk averse as to stifle the ability of older Australians to make choices, take risks and exercise autonomy.
Submission to a new program for In-Home Aged Care discussion paper
Anglicare Australia believes that everybody has the right to dignity and quality of life as they age. That means committing to a continuum of care, where everybody can get the support they need in a way that suits them. This submission makes recommendations to put people at the centre of care, support the choices and preferences of older Australians, and ensure that funding reflects the real costs of care.
Submission on the National Principles to Address Coercive Control
Every Australian has the right to live safely and free from harm. In this submission, Anglicare Australia focused on the need to strengthen the broader support system so that women and children can leave abusive situations and heal. This means ensuring that support services are adequately resourced, raising social security payments above the poverty line, closing the gender pay gap, building women’s financial security, and having a strong approach to perpetrator accountability. Anglicare Australia also calls for the Government to draw more heavily on international data and evidence to understand the effectiveness of different methods to tackle coercive control, and to recognise, plan for and address the consequences of criminalising coercive control.
Submission on the Cheaper Childcare Bill
This submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment regarding the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Cheaper Child Care) Bill 2022 commended the Government for removing the activity test for First Nations children but noted the activity test continues to apply to other children from low-income households or who are developmentally vulnerable. We recommended the bottom two steps of the activity test be removed, guaranteeing three days of subsidised early learning and care for every family, including where the parent with the least hours of work is engaged in fewer than 16 hours of recognised activity.
Submission to the Aged Care Pricing Framework Consultation Paper
Fair and sustainable pricing enables the aged care sector to deliver high quality care. In this submission to the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority, we focus on the need for the pricing structure to reflect the cost of providing the care that Australians expect for themselves and their family members. This means ensuring that pricing keeps up with rising costs over time and recognising the costs of delivering care in regional and rural areas. Anglicare Australia also calls for a Pricing Framework that supports holistic, person-centred care, enabling a person to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Submission on Work and Care
In this submission Anglicare Australia advocates for a re-think of our entire approach to work and care, that provides all Australians with a permanent basic income to lift them out of poverty, and value their contribution, regardless of whether it is in paid employment, caring for friends and family, or volunteering in the community. We must do away with punitive and ineffective employment services that fail to take account of people’s situation, and move to a person-centred system that takes into account people’s strengths, goals and circumstances.
Submission on Enhancing Pensioner and Veteran Workforce Participation Amendment
As well as much needed income, work can give people purpose, reduce social isolation, and foster connection to community. In this submission Anglicare Australia supportsthe provisions in the amendment that allow people receiving aged pension or veteran entitlements to have their payments suspended for up to two years, instead of cancelled, if they earn employment income above the maximum threshold. We also call for extension of the Work Bonus to social security recipients under 65 years and support for workforce participation through a universal basic income.
Submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Carer Leave
Taking care of a loved one or a friend can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling, but it can also negatively impact an informal carer’s health, wellbeing, and financial security. Current arrangements fail to adequately support informal carers. In this submission, Anglicare Australia advocates that a legislated right to return to work will be helpful, but having enough money to live on while carrying out caring responsibilities is far more important. We call for a universal, permanent basic income to benefit all carers.
Submission to the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill
Inadequate staffing means not enough time to care, and poorer outcomes for residential aged care residents and staff. In this submission, Anglicare Australia supported the provisions in the Bill relating to 24 hour per day nursing. But we recognise the reforms will impact different services and communities differently and highlighted some of the impacts on providers, including specialist and rural and regional providers.
Submission on the Digital Protections Framework for Employment Services Programs
This submission comments on the Draft Social Security (Digital Protections Framework for Employment Services Programs) Determination 2022. It argues that while this Framework is a useful step, the new system has been created in a way that will continue to allow the Secretary and providers to issue rigid penalties, such as payment suspensions and cancellations, without review. It also makes detailed comments and recommendations on Schedule 1 of the Draft Framework.