MEDIA RELEASE
13 May 2025
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has welcomed the new Cabinet and called for aged care reform to remain a priority for the re-elected Albanese Government.
OPAN CEO Craig Gear OAM congratulated Mark Butler for retaining his health portfolio and welcomed Sam Rae as the new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors.
“We’d like to congratulate the Albanese Government for its re-election to a second term of Government,” Mr Gear said.
“We especially look forward to working with the newly appointed Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae and supporting him to implement the important aged care reforms currently underway.
“Rebecca White will also play an important role as the new Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and we are excited to work with her moving forward.
“It is disappointing to see that aged care is no longer the responsibility of a Cabinet Minister, and we urge the Government to not deprioritise aged care reform at this crucial stage.
“It is important we do not see a delay to the commencement of the new Aged Care Act which commences on 1 July 2025 – older people have waited too long for their rights to be enshrined in legislation.
“OPAN will continue to work productively with the Federal Government to ensure the rights of older people are front and center.”
MEDIA CONTACT
Billy Briggs – 0474 697 235 – [email protected]
When reporting about older people please refer to the media reporting guidelines and for more information or media enquiries visit our Media Centre.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MEDIA FOR STORIES RELATING TO OLDER PEOPLE
It is critical to provide older people with an avenue to get support when covering stories about aged care. We strongly encourage you to include the following message in your story to enable older people to seek support:
For information or support regarding aged care, please call the Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600 or visit opan.org.au
