CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr CALDWELL (Fadden—Opposition Chief Whip) (10:29): Parents and grandparents deserve an aged-care system that treats them with dignity, compassion and humanity. Older Australians should not be denied care that they so desperately need just because a computer algorithm says no. The case of 98-year-old Holywell local Mr Dudly Austin highlights huge flaws in the government's new aged-care laws.
After suffering a life-threatening fall, Dudly was assessed as a low priority for care despite serious concerns about his condition. For Dudly's family, what should have been precious final weeks together became a battle with the system. It wouldn't listen, and that system was failing them in trying to get him the help he deserved.
Dudly sadly passed away on 10 June. My thoughts are with Amanda, Andrew and his family during this difficult time. Dudly deserved better, his family deserved better, and older Australians deserve better.
No family wants to hear that their loved one's needs have been reduced to a score on a screen, but that's exactly what's happening under Labor's version of robocare. We are hearing concerns from families, providers, advocates and aged-care experts right across the country. The coalition has repeatedly raised these issues, but the government refuses to listen.
The Labor government must act to restore humanity to aged-care assessments. Australian seniors deserve nothing less. Our veterans didn't put a cap on their service to Australia, but Labor is putting a cap on their care.
In May last year, I wrote to the Minister for Veterans Affairs on behalf of a local veteran, and the response arrived in June 2026—more than a year later. If a veteran has to wait for over a year for an answer, something is seriously wrong. And now Labor is capping veterans' allied health care at $5,000 a year—physiotherapy, psychology and occupational therapy that many of our veterans depend on.
I receive emails every day from veterans and their families who are worried about what this means for them—people like Paul from Oxenford, who wrote to tell me he is 'a concerned veteran ... wondering about his future'; Tracey from Biggera Waters, who said, 'Many vets fall through the cracks and their pleas are left unanswered'; Stephen from Ormeau, who, after 46 years of service, told me, 'I am saddened with how the system treats us older soldiers'— Honourable members interjecting— Mr CALDWELL: Robin from Biggera Waters, who is 'still struggling' and has outstanding claims stuck in the DVA process; and Russell from Pimpama, who, after 49 years of service, says his government's treatment of veterans is 'a disgrace'—just like the member for McEwen, Deputy Speaker, who should show our veterans more respect in this place.
He is absolutely out of line in not listening to these stories. The minister and these members opposite, who should know better, deserve to treat our veterans with respect. Honourable members interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Dr Garland ): Can we all just take the temperature down in here, please?
I call the member for McEwen.