27th Oct 2022, 10:04 AM – Senate Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 - Second Reading - Restrictive practices and funding

The majority voted against an amendment to the usual second reading motion, which is that the bill be read a second time. To read a bill for a second time is to agree with its main idea. The amendment was introduced by Victorian Senator Janet Rice (Greens).

Note that second reading motions like this one do not make any actual legal changes but are rather more symbolic. That is, their purpose is to represent the will of the Senate majority.

Motion text

At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:

(a) notes that:

(i) the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety called for the use of restrictive practices in aged care to be based on an independent expert assessment and be subject to ongoing reporting and monitoring, and

(ii) a lack of legislative provisions to ensure aged care residents can access adequate and appropriate allied health services may reduce the level of care they receive, with clear implications for their health and wellbeing; and

(b) urges the Government to ensure that its response to the Royal Commission includes urgent action to reduce the use of restrictive practices and to ensure that allied health care is appropriately funded".