Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton, has called for urgent reform to Australia’s aged care system during an emotional debate on the Aged Care Bill 2024.
Mr Hamilton urged the government to ensure the dignity and care of older Australians in aged care and work in a bipartisan way with the Parliament.
Sharing the heartbreaking story of Mr John Currie, a former firefighter who served Toowoomba for 23 years and tragically passed away after being denied adequate pain relief for three weeks in an aged care facility, Mr Hamilton underscored the urgent need for reform.
Mr Currie’s daughter, Kim Sutton, has worked tirelessly alongside Mr Hamilton and other aged care advocates to ensure her father’s experience is not forgotten and that meaningful changes are made to prevent similar tragedies.
Mr Hamilton has called for bipartisan cooperation in addressing these issues, noting elder Australians had been failed by all sides.
“The opposition seeks to work in good faith with the government to ensure that our aged-care system provides older Australians with the dignity they deserve.”
“No Australian should endure what John did. Our aged care system must ensure dignity and proper care for everyone, especially in their final days,” Mr Hamilton said.
In a direct appeal to the Minister for Aged Care, Mr Hamilton urged reconsideration of a request to meet with Kim Sutton.
“It is in the national interest for John Currie’s story to be heard by the minister of the day. We must ensure that no one else in an Australian aged care facility suffers the same fate.”
“We have never sought to politicise this. We simply want the learnings from John’s passing to be heard and to make sure no one should die a death like that in Australia.”
Mr Hamilton and Ms Sutton remain committed to ensuring that her father’s story is heard and that his legacy leads to real improvements in Australia’s aged care system.
ENDS.
Media Contact: Greta Dwan 0414 211 908
You can watch Mr Hamilton’s speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd3zA9NtkDk
