The Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, has today laid out immediate steps that need to be taken to address Australia’s aged care crisis.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has released its final report which has made it abundantly clear that the aged care system is in crisis.

The final report, which makes no less than 148 recommendations, highlights the need to create a “new aged care system” in the wake of its shocking findings.

“The state of aged care is a national disgrace,” said the Member for Macarthur.

“The Coalition Government has neglected older Australians, aged care residents and their workers for years. This report is a terrible indictment upon Scott Morrison’s leadership in this sector,” said Dr Freelander.

Federal Labor is now undertaking a process of carefully reviewing the recommendations of the Royal Commission, with Dr Freelander highlighting an immediate path forward for the Government.

“The Coalition Government has not responded to any of the issues that are plaguing our aged care system, that much is clear,” said Dr Mike Freelander MP.

“It is clear that three things need to happen. Firstly, an independent regulator is desperately needed; the Government’s regulators have failed abysmally to improve the quality of care afforded to older Australians.

“Secondly, we need to urgently increase staffing in the aged care sector, and thirdly we need to improve the training available to staff.”

The Royal Commission confirmed that nearly a third of people receiving services in aged care had received sub-standard care, and that over two-thirds of those in residential care were either malnourished or at risk of being malnourished.

“Scott Morrison is responsible for the aged care system,” said Dr Freelander.

“He is responsible for the $1.7 billion in federal funding cuts and the terrible systemic neglect identified by the Royal Commissioners. Older Australians and aged care workers deserve better.”