PM relegates aged care to outer ministry; Anika Wells moves on

With just weeks left until the new Aged Care Act takes effect on July 1, the Prime Minister has kicked off his second term by demoting the aged care portfolio from cabinet to outer ministry.

At the beginning of the year the sector celebrated as the then Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells was promoted to the PM's inner circle. Now, while Ms Wells has retained her cabinet position as the Minister for Communication and Sport, aged care has been taken over by Sam Rae.

Unveiling his new ministry picks on Monday, the Prime Minister boasted that Labor had the largest “caucus in history since federation”.

“A caucus brimming with capacity, talent and energy in both the House of Representatives and the Senate,” Mr Albanese told reporters at Parliament House, adding that Labor was claiming up to 92 seats and expecting more in Western Australia and Victoria.

“As a result of that, it is an extraordinary opportunity for ministers, but for the entire caucus going forward, to put in place the agenda that we put forward positively to the Australian people and an ambitious agenda to change this country for the better.

“I am deeply humbled by the trust that was put into my government with the election and we certainly won’t take it for granted.”

Long list of achievements

Following Tuesday’s swearing in ceremony, Anika Wells took to her Instagram to reflect on her accomplishments as Minister for Aged Care.

“While I was at university, I worked in aged care with my mum pushing the tea trolley and filling in empty shifts,” she wrote.

“With that experience, it has been a privilege to be your Minister for Aged Care for the last three years, fighting every day to lift the sector out of crisis.

“To work as part of the Albanese Government to build a system that older people and their families can trust, and that skilled people want to work in.

“To deliver the first recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care – to create a new rights-based Aged Care Act.

“Today there is a registered nurse onsite in aged care more than 99 per cent of the time.

“Older Australians in residential aged care are receiving an extra 4.8 million minutes of care every single day.

“Because [Anthony Albanese] backed them in the Fair Work Commission, personal care workers on the award wage are taking home an extra $322 a week in their pay packets.

“Registered nurses are taking home an extra $430 a week.

“There has been a statistically significant decrease in polypharmacy, antipsychotic medication use, falls that result in major injury, use of physical restraints, significant unplanned weight loss and consecutive unplanned weight loss.

“We installed an Inspector-General of Aged Care, a First Nations Commissioner, and strengthened the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

“We're rolling out more than 107,000 home care packages to cut wait times – the most ever delivered in a two year period.

“The job's not done...but my goodness we’ve made progress.

“Thank you to everyone who welcomed me into your home and took time to share your lived experience with me – older people, advocates, workers and more.

“There is no greater contribution any of us can make than to care for, respect and value the generations that have come before us.”

Who is Sam Rae?

The new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors hails from the relatively new Victorian electorate of Hawke, joining the outer ministry for the first time alongside fellow Victorians Dan Mulino and Jess Walsh, who have been named Assistant Treasurer and Early Childhood Minister respectively.

The 38-year-old has held the seat of Hawke since its establishment in 2022. Prior to his election Mr Rae had been the state secretary and campaign director for Victorian Labor and a partner at global accounting firm PwC.

Mr Rae used social media to say he is “deeply honoured” to have been appointed Minister for Aged Care and Seniors.

“It’s a challenging portfolio, and I’m proud to take it on alongside Labor’s talented team,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work to do, and we’re ready to get started.

“I’ll bring my full focus and energy to this role – working hard every day to deliver better outcomes for older Australians.

“That work begins now.”

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The aged care portfolio has now been moved to the outer ministry, and while industry stakeholders were quick with congratulations for the new MP, the reaction from the sector has lacked optimism.

Ageing Australia chief Tom Symondson has said Health Minister Mark Butler and Mr Rae that they have been “charged with overseeing a sector facing unprecedented change.”

“We’re running out of runway for the July 1 deadline, yet aged care providers still don’t have all the necessary information to prepare for these significant reforms,” Mr Symondson said.

“We wholeheartedly support the new Act and the charter of rights for older people, but it’s becoming clearer by the day that we won’t be ready to implement every program due to the sheer scale of change.”

The peak body said that on top of the sector’s challenging transition to once in a lifetime reforms, providers are also struggling with a workforce crisis and significant threats to sustainability.

“Everyone wants these reforms to succeed and that means a staged approach to implementation will be vital,” Mr Symondson said.

“Failure is not an option. If we don’t get this right we risk widespread confusion for older Australians and a loss of confidence in the sector as a whole. We know everything won’t be ready, so we need to work with the Government and the opposition on a plan B.”

DoHAC gets a shake up

Mark Butler has retained his position as Health Minister, but will take on the additional responsibilities of Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The NDIS portfolio was handed to Amanda Rishworth just a few months ago following Bill Shorten’s departure from politics, she will now take over as the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.

“The Australian people have given the Australian Labor Government a strong mandate to continue to build on and strengthen these institutions for the decades to come,” Mr Butler said in a statement.
 
“Australians want to know that they will get the care and support they need, when and where they need it.

“Our task is crystal clear: to strengthen Medicare, protect the PBS, deliver generational reform to aged care, and secure the future of the NDIS.

“Labor will ensure that these systems of care and support always put patients and people first.”

Ged Kearney has moved from her previous roles, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, to Assistant Minister for Social Services and Prevention of Family Violence.

Meanwhile, newly elected MP Rebecca White – a former Tasmanian leader who failed three times to win a state election – entered federal politics as Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, as well as Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health and Assistant Minister for Women.

More notable changes

Mr Albanese elevated Anne Aly elevated into cabinet as Small Business, International Development and Multicultural Affairs Minister.

Ms Aly will enter the cabinet and take on the small business, international development and multicultural affairs portfolio, and while she has been regarded as overdue for promotion, this will also ensure that the Labor cabinet includes a minister of Muslim faith.

In a major development, Tanya Plibersek has been moved from the environment portfolio to social services.

Mr Albanese was grilled about the decision to move Ms Plibersek on from the key portfolio.

“How did Tanya Plibersek take being given the Social Services portfolio and did you give any consideration to shifting Chris Bowen?” asked one reporter.

“She was very positive about it,” Mr Albanese replied.

He was pressed further about the decision later in the press conference, with a reporter asking him to explain his decision to move Murray Watt into the environment role.

“I have changed a range of portfolios,” Mr Albanese replied.

“I have got people who are, I think, in the best positions and that’s across the board. There has been multiple changes made in the cabinet. That’s what happens and just as there are new members entering the cabinet, there were new members last year as well.”

Former communications minister Michelle Rowland will take on Mark Dreyfus’ Attorney General position while Tim Ayres has been promoted to take over from Ed Husic as Industry Minister. Neither Mr Dreyfus nor Mr Husic have been give a portfolio.