In this brief submission, CPSA offers an analysis of the nursing home staffing levels debate within the context of the impending implementation of the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) as a replacement for the current Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI).
Currently around one-third of private dwellings in NSW are rented. In the past, renters were primarily young people who rented for only a short time. However, more people are now renting for longer and families and older people are making up a larger portion of tenants. With this continuing growth and variation to the tenancy demographic, it is increasingly important that there is in place a modern and efficient regulatory system for residential tenancies that is responsive to the needs of the community. A draft Residential Tenancies Regulation 2019 (the Regulation) and accompanying Regulatory Impact Statement are now available for public consultation. The proposed Regulation supports the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (the Act).
The existing NSW Fair Trading Regulation 2012 is due for automatic repeal on 1 September 2019. The Government is proposing to remake the Regulation with some changes. Among other things, the new Regulation will provide information standards relating to funeral service providers. The draft Regulation would no longer contain a provision for a basic funeral. The basic funeral is key to ensuring that those of limited means are able to buy a dignified funeral package. A draft Fair Trading Regulation 2019 (the Regulation) and accompanying Regulatory Impact Statement are now available for public consultation. The proposed Regulation supports the Fair Trading Act 1987 (the Act).
In 2013, which much pomp, the NSW Government established the Cemeteries and Crematoria Authority to deal with the shortage of burial plots in Sydney. The main remedy it offered at the time was renewable-tenure burial plots. These are plots that will accommodate remains for a period of 25 years. Then, the lease on the plot needs to be released or the plot is cleared, as is common practice in more densely populated countries in the developed world. Six years on from those reform, there have been less than fifty (50!) renewable-tenure burials.
CPSA’s submission focusses on the impact of the shift from residential aged care services to in-home care services under way in Australia on the operations of retirement villages.
CPSA is concerned that the proposed model, the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC), has been developed on the basis of care practices funded and shaped by the current Aged Care Funding Instrument, which may compromise the effectiveness of AN-ACC. CPSA urges that the introduction of AC-ANN be delayed until the Aged Care Commission has made its final report to the Governor-General and the Government has responded to its recommendations.
Building on the release of the Retirement Income Covenant position paper in May 2018, Government is seeking views on the disclosure fact sheet for retirement income products. Its consultation paper proposes a standardised, simplified document that outlines key metrics and features to help consumers compare different retirement income products.
Submission to the House Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs
On 12 February 2019, CPSA's Policy Manager Paul Versteege gave evidence to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. A transcript of this evidence is available on the Royal Commission's website. Paul Versteege's evidence was based on a witness statement provided to the Royal Commission.
CPSA welcomes the draft plan, noting that it is thorough and attempts to address a range of issues of concern for older people using transport in NSW. However, there are two major areas of concern that CPSA believes were not adequately addressed in the plan. These are the transparency regarding the Transport Access Program and access to information about transport services.
CPSA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the 2019 Budget and would like to highlight the following federal budget priorities it has identified in the areas of aged care, social services and health.
CPSA welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Financial Services Royal Commission’s Interim Report. In this submission, CPSA will confine itself to commenting on issues related to the provision of financial advice. CPSA’s comments are in response to the questions listed at the end of the financial advice section in the Commissioner’s interim report. These comments are based on policy positions CPSA has held and advocated for throughout previous reviews of the financial advice industry and regulation.
CPSA appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Cemetery and Crematorium Operator Code of Practice. As CPSA’s focus is on consumer rights and protections this brief submission will focus on those clauses in the Code of Practice that deal with the customer-operator interface.
CPSA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Access to Digital Assets upon Death or Incapacity consultation paper released by the NSW Law Reform Commission.
CPSA is concerned that the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission as outlined in the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Bill 2018 in response to the Carnell-Patterson Review would commence operations while the Royal Commission into Safety and Quality of Aged Care is being conducted.
CPSA supports the quarterly publication of ratios of aged care recipients to staff members for each residential care service as set out in the Aged Care Amendment (Staffing Ratio Disclosure) Bill 2018.
CPSA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Easy and Transparent Trading consultation paper released by the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation.
CPSA is pleased to submit the following comments to assist the Standing Committees on Economics inquiry into the Financial and Tax Practices of For-Profit Aged Care Providers. CPSA’s submission will address tax avoidance and minimisation strategies, the associated impacts on the quality of service delivery, value for money for government and the adequacy of accountability and probity mechanisms for the expenditure of taxpayer money.
CPSA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft guidance material for the new aged care quality standards. CPSA represents pensioners of all ages and low income retirees. As such, CPSA is interested in ensuring that the aged care system is able to deliver high quality, person centred care to all those who need it, regardless of their geographical location and their capacity to pay. In an increasingly market-based aged care system, the accreditation standards and how they are interpreted and implemented is critical in ensuring that all residents have access to safe care that meets their needs. This submission focuses on how the guidance material can be improved to ensure that the realities of care experiences are properly being captured through the auditing process, particularly in residential aged care.