Sunrise host steps up and takes charge in a heated debate over aged care reform

It was a debate that quickly increased in intensity until a Sunrise host was forced to intervene and break up a potentially ugly feud between two political leaders.

On Wednesday morning, Natalie Barr questioned Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms – which quickly turned into a heated debate.

Before things got out of hand, the TV presenter took the reins and ensured that both sides of the argument were heard and understood by viewers.



Barr began the interview by pointing out that at least 23 aged care facilities had closed since September last year amid new reforms made by the Albanese government.

She questioned whether Labour had moved too quickly in implementing its promise of aged care homes having a mandatory nurse on duty 24 hours a day.


debate.jpg
A heated debate occurred live on air. Credit: Donald Tong/Pexels

Minister O’Neil argued that the aged care royal commission’s findings showed the former Government liable for ‘subjecting elderly Australians to shocking neglect’.

‘We saw widespread malnutrition in aged care, we saw elderly Australians drugged because their behaviour couldn’t be properly managed, we saw people falling out of bed in the middle of the night, unable to get care,’ she stated before adding that this happened because the former government’s budget cuts and because they ‘treated the sector disgracefully’.



Minister O’Neil went on to say the government's goal was to 'look after Australians with the dignity they deserve', which saw a slew of changes be introduced.

‘Part of that is making sure we have a nurse in every nursing home, the most basic thing you think would already be provided in this country a long time ago,’ she claimed.


debate2.jpg
The discussion was over aged care reforms. Credit: Matthias Zomer/Pexels

The minister also called on the opposition to show ‘a little bit of contrition’ for how they handled – and contributed – to the situation.

‘We're not going to apologise for fixing up the mess of the former Government; we are going to forge forward and make sure that we give these people proper dignity and care,’ she said, ending her piece.



On the other hand, Senator Hume accused the current government of 'propagating the problem' and of ‘wrongly expediting’ the inquiry's findings.

She said that forcing nurses into aged care facilities too soon would allegedly cause more homes to go out of business.

The senator suggested that some aged care residences should be granted exemptions if they were unable to meet the new requirements. What followed was a heated back-and-forth between the two political leaders.

Minister O’Neil said: ‘We now need a bit of responsibility and shame and contrition from the former Government for what you did to this sector and how you treated elderly people.’

Senator Hume fired back: ‘Actually, this was your policy when you were the Shadow Minister, Clare, and now the homes are shutting.’

Minister O’Neil argued: ‘Yeah, and it's a really good policy, and you are saying that we should not have a nurse in every nursing home?’



At this point, Barr tried intervening but was barely able to get a word in.

At some point during the interview, Minister O'Neil dismissed the argument that implementing 24/7 nurses ahead of schedule was detrimental to aged care residents.

She argued: 'What we are saying is that we’ve got a bold ambition to properly care for elderly people as quickly as we can, because every year that we wait … every day that we wait, more people are being mistreated.'

‘It’s pushing people out of homes,’ was Senator Hume’s response.

With the debate reaching a fever pitch, Barr decided it was time to step in, mediating the exchange and ensuring the audience was able to digest the points made by both sides of the argument.

‘Okay. Okay. Look, I think you've both had your say, and you know, people can make up their own minds because this affects every family in Australia,’ the TV host said.

You can read the full transcript of the interview here.



This comes after Natalie Barr and David Koch’s interview with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb earlier this week. The discussion was about the incident that occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility, where a 95-year-old grandmother named Clare, who has sadly passed away, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly failing to drop a knife while approaching the authority figure.

The TV hosts grilled the police commissioner over the matter, which opened up discourse over training for aged care staff and reforms. You can read more details about this case here.
Key Takeaways
  • Sunrise host Natalie Barr was forced to intervene in a heated debate between Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms.
  • Both guests attempted to blame each other for the sector's failings, and Barr had to step in to keep the conversation civil.
  • Minister O'Neil argued that the aged care royal commission's findings pointed to the former Liberal government's neglect of elderly Australians.
  • Senator Hume accused the government of wrongly ‘expediting the findings’ of the inquiry and forcing aged care facilities to implement reforms quickly, leading to closures.
Do you have an opinion on this aged care reform? If so, then please don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
 
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It was a debate that quickly increased in intensity until a Sunrise host was forced to intervene and break up a potentially ugly feud between two political leaders.

On Wednesday morning, Natalie Barr questioned Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms – which quickly turned into a heated debate.

Before things got out of hand, the TV presenter took the reins and ensured that both sides of the argument were heard and understood by viewers.



Barr began the interview by pointing out that at least 23 aged care facilities had closed since September last year amid new reforms made by the Albanese government.

She questioned whether Labour had moved too quickly in implementing its promise of aged care homes having a mandatory nurse on duty 24 hours a day.


View attachment 20656
A heated debate occurred live on air. Credit: Donald Tong/Pexels

Minister O’Neil argued that the aged care royal commission’s findings showed the former Government liable for ‘subjecting elderly Australians to shocking neglect’.

‘We saw widespread malnutrition in aged care, we saw elderly Australians drugged because their behaviour couldn’t be properly managed, we saw people falling out of bed in the middle of the night, unable to get care,’ she stated before adding that this happened because the former government’s budget cuts and because they ‘treated the sector disgracefully’.



Minister O’Neil went on to say the government's goal was to 'look after Australians with the dignity they deserve', which saw a slew of changes be introduced.

‘Part of that is making sure we have a nurse in every nursing home, the most basic thing you think would already be provided in this country a long time ago,’ she claimed.


View attachment 20657
The discussion was over aged care reforms. Credit: Matthias Zomer/Pexels

The minister also called on the opposition to show ‘a little bit of contrition’ for how they handled – and contributed – to the situation.

‘We're not going to apologise for fixing up the mess of the former Government; we are going to forge forward and make sure that we give these people proper dignity and care,’ she said, ending her piece.



On the other hand, Senator Hume accused the current government of 'propagating the problem' and of ‘wrongly expediting’ the inquiry's findings.

She said that forcing nurses into aged care facilities too soon would allegedly cause more homes to go out of business.

The senator suggested that some aged care residences should be granted exemptions if they were unable to meet the new requirements. What followed was a heated back-and-forth between the two political leaders.

Minister O’Neil said: ‘We now need a bit of responsibility and shame and contrition from the former Government for what you did to this sector and how you treated elderly people.’

Senator Hume fired back: ‘Actually, this was your policy when you were the Shadow Minister, Clare, and now the homes are shutting.’

Minister O’Neil argued: ‘Yeah, and it's a really good policy, and you are saying that we should not have a nurse in every nursing home?’



At this point, Barr tried intervening but was barely able to get a word in.

At some point during the interview, Minister O'Neil dismissed the argument that implementing 24/7 nurses ahead of schedule was detrimental to aged care residents.

She argued: 'What we are saying is that we’ve got a bold ambition to properly care for elderly people as quickly as we can, because every year that we wait … every day that we wait, more people are being mistreated.'

‘It’s pushing people out of homes,’ was Senator Hume’s response.

With the debate reaching a fever pitch, Barr decided it was time to step in, mediating the exchange and ensuring the audience was able to digest the points made by both sides of the argument.

‘Okay. Okay. Look, I think you've both had your say, and you know, people can make up their own minds because this affects every family in Australia,’ the TV host said.

You can read the full transcript of the interview here.



This comes after Natalie Barr and David Koch’s interview with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb earlier this week. The discussion was about the incident that occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility, where a 95-year-old grandmother named Clare, who has sadly passed away, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly failing to drop a knife while approaching the authority figure.

The TV hosts grilled the police commissioner over the matter, which opened up discourse over training for aged care staff and reforms. You can read more details about this case here.
Key Takeaways

  • Sunrise host Natalie Barr was forced to intervene in a heated debate between Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms.
  • Both guests attempted to blame each other for the sector's failings, and Barr had to step in to keep the conversation civil.
  • Minister O'Neil argued that the aged care royal commission's findings pointed to the former Liberal government's neglect of elderly Australians.
  • Senator Hume accused the government of wrongly ‘expediting the findings’ of the inquiry and forcing aged care facilities to implement reforms quickly, leading to closures.
Do you have an opinion on this aged care reform? If so, then please don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Surely it is up to the person who manages the home to make sure people are feed decent meals and the safety issues are taken care of.
 
It was a debate that quickly increased in intensity until a Sunrise host was forced to intervene and break up a potentially ugly feud between two political leaders.

On Wednesday morning, Natalie Barr questioned Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms – which quickly turned into a heated debate.

Before things got out of hand, the TV presenter took the reins and ensured that both sides of the argument were heard and understood by viewers.



Barr began the interview by pointing out that at least 23 aged care facilities had closed since September last year amid new reforms made by the Albanese government.

She questioned whether Labour had moved too quickly in implementing its promise of aged care homes having a mandatory nurse on duty 24 hours a day.


View attachment 20656
A heated debate occurred live on air. Credit: Donald Tong/Pexels

Minister O’Neil argued that the aged care royal commission’s findings showed the former Government liable for ‘subjecting elderly Australians to shocking neglect’.

‘We saw widespread malnutrition in aged care, we saw elderly Australians drugged because their behaviour couldn’t be properly managed, we saw people falling out of bed in the middle of the night, unable to get care,’ she stated before adding that this happened because the former government’s budget cuts and because they ‘treated the sector disgracefully’.



Minister O’Neil went on to say the government's goal was to 'look after Australians with the dignity they deserve', which saw a slew of changes be introduced.

‘Part of that is making sure we have a nurse in every nursing home, the most basic thing you think would already be provided in this country a long time ago,’ she claimed.


View attachment 20657
The discussion was over aged care reforms. Credit: Matthias Zomer/Pexels

The minister also called on the opposition to show ‘a little bit of contrition’ for how they handled – and contributed – to the situation.

‘We're not going to apologise for fixing up the mess of the former Government; we are going to forge forward and make sure that we give these people proper dignity and care,’ she said, ending her piece.



On the other hand, Senator Hume accused the current government of 'propagating the problem' and of ‘wrongly expediting’ the inquiry's findings.

She said that forcing nurses into aged care facilities too soon would allegedly cause more homes to go out of business.

The senator suggested that some aged care residences should be granted exemptions if they were unable to meet the new requirements. What followed was a heated back-and-forth between the two political leaders.

Minister O’Neil said: ‘We now need a bit of responsibility and shame and contrition from the former Government for what you did to this sector and how you treated elderly people.’

Senator Hume fired back: ‘Actually, this was your policy when you were the Shadow Minister, Clare, and now the homes are shutting.’

Minister O’Neil argued: ‘Yeah, and it's a really good policy, and you are saying that we should not have a nurse in every nursing home?’



At this point, Barr tried intervening but was barely able to get a word in.

At some point during the interview, Minister O'Neil dismissed the argument that implementing 24/7 nurses ahead of schedule was detrimental to aged care residents.

She argued: 'What we are saying is that we’ve got a bold ambition to properly care for elderly people as quickly as we can, because every year that we wait … every day that we wait, more people are being mistreated.'

‘It’s pushing people out of homes,’ was Senator Hume’s response.

With the debate reaching a fever pitch, Barr decided it was time to step in, mediating the exchange and ensuring the audience was able to digest the points made by both sides of the argument.

‘Okay. Okay. Look, I think you've both had your say, and you know, people can make up their own minds because this affects every family in Australia,’ the TV host said.

You can read the full transcript of the interview here.



This comes after Natalie Barr and David Koch’s interview with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb earlier this week. The discussion was about the incident that occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility, where a 95-year-old grandmother named Clare, who has sadly passed away, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly failing to drop a knife while approaching the authority figure.

The TV hosts grilled the police commissioner over the matter, which opened up discourse over training for aged care staff and reforms. You can read more details about this case here.
Key Takeaways

  • Sunrise host Natalie Barr was forced to intervene in a heated debate between Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms.
  • Both guests attempted to blame each other for the sector's failings, and Barr had to step in to keep the conversation civil.
  • Minister O'Neil argued that the aged care royal commission's findings pointed to the former Liberal government's neglect of elderly Australians.
  • Senator Hume accused the government of wrongly ‘expediting the findings’ of the inquiry and forcing aged care facilities to implement reforms quickly, leading to closures.
Do you have an opinion on this aged care reform? If so, then please don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Whilst ever the aged care sector is for profit nothing will change. The food in most of them is dreadful. More like the food you would get in a badly run mess hall. Mostly they follow the guidelines put out for food intake and product. That means lots of low end garbage. Most elderly need protein and good quality at that. Also good fats. Mostly the food is cooked in seed oils and they get sugar laden rubbish. From seeing my father and father in law in aged care it don't want to be anywhere near it if I can help it. I have always said when the first retirement villages were built this will be a divide and conquer. Then they started adding higher care to these places. Now they control the whole lot, the government doesn't care because if someone dies there it's one less pension to pay and the facility gets to sell the villa or room to the next one on the list.
 
It was a debate that quickly increased in intensity until a Sunrise host was forced to intervene and break up a potentially ugly feud between two political leaders.

On Wednesday morning, Natalie Barr questioned Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms – which quickly turned into a heated debate.

Before things got out of hand, the TV presenter took the reins and ensured that both sides of the argument were heard and understood by viewers.



Barr began the interview by pointing out that at least 23 aged care facilities had closed since September last year amid new reforms made by the Albanese government.

She questioned whether Labour had moved too quickly in implementing its promise of aged care homes having a mandatory nurse on duty 24 hours a day.


View attachment 20656
A heated debate occurred live on air. Credit: Donald Tong/Pexels

Minister O’Neil argued that the aged care royal commission’s findings showed the former Government liable for ‘subjecting elderly Australians to shocking neglect’.

‘We saw widespread malnutrition in aged care, we saw elderly Australians drugged because their behaviour couldn’t be properly managed, we saw people falling out of bed in the middle of the night, unable to get care,’ she stated before adding that this happened because the former government’s budget cuts and because they ‘treated the sector disgracefully’.



Minister O’Neil went on to say the government's goal was to 'look after Australians with the dignity they deserve', which saw a slew of changes be introduced.

‘Part of that is making sure we have a nurse in every nursing home, the most basic thing you think would already be provided in this country a long time ago,’ she claimed.


View attachment 20657
The discussion was over aged care reforms. Credit: Matthias Zomer/Pexels

The minister also called on the opposition to show ‘a little bit of contrition’ for how they handled – and contributed – to the situation.

‘We're not going to apologise for fixing up the mess of the former Government; we are going to forge forward and make sure that we give these people proper dignity and care,’ she said, ending her piece.



On the other hand, Senator Hume accused the current government of 'propagating the problem' and of ‘wrongly expediting’ the inquiry's findings.

She said that forcing nurses into aged care facilities too soon would allegedly cause more homes to go out of business.

The senator suggested that some aged care residences should be granted exemptions if they were unable to meet the new requirements. What followed was a heated back-and-forth between the two political leaders.

Minister O’Neil said: ‘We now need a bit of responsibility and shame and contrition from the former Government for what you did to this sector and how you treated elderly people.’

Senator Hume fired back: ‘Actually, this was your policy when you were the Shadow Minister, Clare, and now the homes are shutting.’

Minister O’Neil argued: ‘Yeah, and it's a really good policy, and you are saying that we should not have a nurse in every nursing home?’



At this point, Barr tried intervening but was barely able to get a word in.

At some point during the interview, Minister O'Neil dismissed the argument that implementing 24/7 nurses ahead of schedule was detrimental to aged care residents.

She argued: 'What we are saying is that we’ve got a bold ambition to properly care for elderly people as quickly as we can, because every year that we wait … every day that we wait, more people are being mistreated.'

‘It’s pushing people out of homes,’ was Senator Hume’s response.

With the debate reaching a fever pitch, Barr decided it was time to step in, mediating the exchange and ensuring the audience was able to digest the points made by both sides of the argument.

‘Okay. Okay. Look, I think you've both had your say, and you know, people can make up their own minds because this affects every family in Australia,’ the TV host said.

You can read the full transcript of the interview here.



This comes after Natalie Barr and David Koch’s interview with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb earlier this week. The discussion was about the incident that occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility, where a 95-year-old grandmother named Clare, who has sadly passed away, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly failing to drop a knife while approaching the authority figure.

The TV hosts grilled the police commissioner over the matter, which opened up discourse over training for aged care staff and reforms. You can read more details about this case here.
Key Takeaways

  • Sunrise host Natalie Barr was forced to intervene in a heated debate between Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms.
  • Both guests attempted to blame each other for the sector's failings, and Barr had to step in to keep the conversation civil.
  • Minister O'Neil argued that the aged care royal commission's findings pointed to the former Liberal government's neglect of elderly Australians.
  • Senator Hume accused the government of wrongly ‘expediting the findings’ of the inquiry and forcing aged care facilities to implement reforms quickly, leading to closures.
Do you have an opinion on this aged care reform? If so, then please don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
It was a debate that quickly increased in intensity until a Sunrise host was forced to intervene and break up a potentially ugly feud between two political leaders.

On Wednesday morning, Natalie Barr questioned Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms – which quickly turned into a heated debate.

Before things got out of hand, the TV presenter took the reins and ensured that both sides of the argument were heard and understood by viewers.



Barr began the interview by pointing out that at least 23 aged care facilities had closed since September last year amid new reforms made by the Albanese government.

She questioned whether Labour had moved too quickly in implementing its promise of aged care homes having a mandatory nurse on duty 24 hours a day.


View attachment 20656
A heated debate occurred live on air. Credit: Donald Tong/Pexels

Minister O’Neil argued that the aged care royal commission’s findings showed the former Government liable for ‘subjecting elderly Australians to shocking neglect’.

‘We saw widespread malnutrition in aged care, we saw elderly Australians drugged because their behaviour couldn’t be properly managed, we saw people falling out of bed in the middle of the night, unable to get care,’ she stated before adding that this happened because the former government’s budget cuts and because they ‘treated the sector disgracefully’.



Minister O’Neil went on to say the government's goal was to 'look after Australians with the dignity they deserve', which saw a slew of changes be introduced.

‘Part of that is making sure we have a nurse in every nursing home, the most basic thing you think would already be provided in this country a long time ago,’ she claimed.


View attachment 20657
The discussion was over aged care reforms. Credit: Matthias Zomer/Pexels

The minister also called on the opposition to show ‘a little bit of contrition’ for how they handled – and contributed – to the situation.

‘We're not going to apologise for fixing up the mess of the former Government; we are going to forge forward and make sure that we give these people proper dignity and care,’ she said, ending her piece.



On the other hand, Senator Hume accused the current government of 'propagating the problem' and of ‘wrongly expediting’ the inquiry's findings.

She said that forcing nurses into aged care facilities too soon would allegedly cause more homes to go out of business.

The senator suggested that some aged care residences should be granted exemptions if they were unable to meet the new requirements. What followed was a heated back-and-forth between the two political leaders.

Minister O’Neil said: ‘We now need a bit of responsibility and shame and contrition from the former Government for what you did to this sector and how you treated elderly people.’

Senator Hume fired back: ‘Actually, this was your policy when you were the Shadow Minister, Clare, and now the homes are shutting.’

Minister O’Neil argued: ‘Yeah, and it's a really good policy, and you are saying that we should not have a nurse in every nursing home?’



At this point, Barr tried intervening but was barely able to get a word in.

At some point during the interview, Minister O'Neil dismissed the argument that implementing 24/7 nurses ahead of schedule was detrimental to aged care residents.

She argued: 'What we are saying is that we’ve got a bold ambition to properly care for elderly people as quickly as we can, because every year that we wait … every day that we wait, more people are being mistreated.'

‘It’s pushing people out of homes,’ was Senator Hume’s response.

With the debate reaching a fever pitch, Barr decided it was time to step in, mediating the exchange and ensuring the audience was able to digest the points made by both sides of the argument.

‘Okay. Okay. Look, I think you've both had your say, and you know, people can make up their own minds because this affects every family in Australia,’ the TV host said.

You can read the full transcript of the interview here.



This comes after Natalie Barr and David Koch’s interview with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb earlier this week. The discussion was about the incident that occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility, where a 95-year-old grandmother named Clare, who has sadly passed away, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly failing to drop a knife while approaching the authority figure.

The TV hosts grilled the police commissioner over the matter, which opened up discourse over training for aged care staff and reforms. You can read more details about this case here.
Key Takeaways

  • Sunrise host Natalie Barr was forced to intervene in a heated debate between Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms.
  • Both guests attempted to blame each other for the sector's failings, and Barr had to step in to keep the conversation civil.
  • Minister O'Neil argued that the aged care royal commission's findings pointed to the former Liberal government's neglect of elderly Australians.
  • Senator Hume accused the government of wrongly ‘expediting the findings’ of the inquiry and forcing aged care facilities to implement reforms quickly, leading to closures.
Do you have an opinion on this aged care reform? If so, then please don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Why doesn’t the government bring it in gradually? eg. Name 3 homes in a particular region in every state. 3 months to comply. Then the next region. All at once is a disaster waiting to happen.
 
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Whilst ever the aged care sector is for profit nothing will change. The food in most of them is dreadful. More like the food you would get in a badly run mess hall. Mostly they follow the guidelines put out for food intake and product. That means lots of low end garbage. Most elderly need protein and good quality at that. Also good fats. Mostly the food is cooked in seed oils and they get sugar laden rubbish. From seeing my father and father in law in aged care it don't want to be anywhere near it if I can help it. I have always said when the first retirement villages were built this will be a divide and conquer. Then they started adding higher care to these places. Now they control the whole lot, the government doesn't care because if someone dies there it's one less pension to pay and the facility gets to sell the villa or room to the next one on the list.
Privately owned company after one thing and one thing only money 💰 profits 📈 before people
 
It was a debate that quickly increased in intensity until a Sunrise host was forced to intervene and break up a potentially ugly feud between two political leaders.

On Wednesday morning, Natalie Barr questioned Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms – which quickly turned into a heated debate.

Before things got out of hand, the TV presenter took the reins and ensured that both sides of the argument were heard and understood by viewers.



Barr began the interview by pointing out that at least 23 aged care facilities had closed since September last year amid new reforms made by the Albanese government.

She questioned whether Labour had moved too quickly in implementing its promise of aged care homes having a mandatory nurse on duty 24 hours a day.


View attachment 20656
A heated debate occurred live on air. Credit: Donald Tong/Pexels

Minister O’Neil argued that the aged care royal commission’s findings showed the former Government liable for ‘subjecting elderly Australians to shocking neglect’.

‘We saw widespread malnutrition in aged care, we saw elderly Australians drugged because their behaviour couldn’t be properly managed, we saw people falling out of bed in the middle of the night, unable to get care,’ she stated before adding that this happened because the former government’s budget cuts and because they ‘treated the sector disgracefully’.



Minister O’Neil went on to say the government's goal was to 'look after Australians with the dignity they deserve', which saw a slew of changes be introduced.

‘Part of that is making sure we have a nurse in every nursing home, the most basic thing you think would already be provided in this country a long time ago,’ she claimed.


View attachment 20657
The discussion was over aged care reforms. Credit: Matthias Zomer/Pexels

The minister also called on the opposition to show ‘a little bit of contrition’ for how they handled – and contributed – to the situation.

‘We're not going to apologise for fixing up the mess of the former Government; we are going to forge forward and make sure that we give these people proper dignity and care,’ she said, ending her piece.



On the other hand, Senator Hume accused the current government of 'propagating the problem' and of ‘wrongly expediting’ the inquiry's findings.

She said that forcing nurses into aged care facilities too soon would allegedly cause more homes to go out of business.

The senator suggested that some aged care residences should be granted exemptions if they were unable to meet the new requirements. What followed was a heated back-and-forth between the two political leaders.

Minister O’Neil said: ‘We now need a bit of responsibility and shame and contrition from the former Government for what you did to this sector and how you treated elderly people.’

Senator Hume fired back: ‘Actually, this was your policy when you were the Shadow Minister, Clare, and now the homes are shutting.’

Minister O’Neil argued: ‘Yeah, and it's a really good policy, and you are saying that we should not have a nurse in every nursing home?’



At this point, Barr tried intervening but was barely able to get a word in.

At some point during the interview, Minister O'Neil dismissed the argument that implementing 24/7 nurses ahead of schedule was detrimental to aged care residents.

She argued: 'What we are saying is that we’ve got a bold ambition to properly care for elderly people as quickly as we can, because every year that we wait … every day that we wait, more people are being mistreated.'

‘It’s pushing people out of homes,’ was Senator Hume’s response.

With the debate reaching a fever pitch, Barr decided it was time to step in, mediating the exchange and ensuring the audience was able to digest the points made by both sides of the argument.

‘Okay. Okay. Look, I think you've both had your say, and you know, people can make up their own minds because this affects every family in Australia,’ the TV host said.

You can read the full transcript of the interview here.



This comes after Natalie Barr and David Koch’s interview with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb earlier this week. The discussion was about the incident that occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility, where a 95-year-old grandmother named Clare, who has sadly passed away, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly failing to drop a knife while approaching the authority figure.

The TV hosts grilled the police commissioner over the matter, which opened up discourse over training for aged care staff and reforms. You can read more details about this case here.
Key Takeaways

  • Sunrise host Natalie Barr was forced to intervene in a heated debate between Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms.
  • Both guests attempted to blame each other for the sector's failings, and Barr had to step in to keep the conversation civil.
  • Minister O'Neil argued that the aged care royal commission's findings pointed to the former Liberal government's neglect of elderly Australians.
  • Senator Hume accused the government of wrongly ‘expediting the findings’ of the inquiry and forcing aged care facilities to implement reforms quickly, leading to closures.
Do you have an opinion on this aged care reform? If so, then please don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Nothing new from the LNP opposition privatise everything the royal commission recommendations and they did nothing now bleating like lost sheep 🐑 under LNP government bugger all got done parasites 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
 
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I am a full time carer for my mum who will be 100 this year. There is no way I would let her go into a nursing home unless something happened to me. I think that all homes should be run by the government and not private enterprise as all they want to do is make a huge profit. I did vote for one of the parties and cannot stand the other but it frustrates me when either side blames the other. Do something now and sort it out.
 
It was a debate that quickly increased in intensity until a Sunrise host was forced to intervene and break up a potentially ugly feud between two political leaders.

On Wednesday morning, Natalie Barr questioned Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms – which quickly turned into a heated debate.

Before things got out of hand, the TV presenter took the reins and ensured that both sides of the argument were heard and understood by viewers.



Barr began the interview by pointing out that at least 23 aged care facilities had closed since September last year amid new reforms made by the Albanese government.

She questioned whether Labour had moved too quickly in implementing its promise of aged care homes having a mandatory nurse on duty 24 hours a day.


View attachment 20656
A heated debate occurred live on air. Credit: Donald Tong/Pexels

Minister O’Neil argued that the aged care royal commission’s findings showed the former Government liable for ‘subjecting elderly Australians to shocking neglect’.

‘We saw widespread malnutrition in aged care, we saw elderly Australians drugged because their behaviour couldn’t be properly managed, we saw people falling out of bed in the middle of the night, unable to get care,’ she stated before adding that this happened because the former government’s budget cuts and because they ‘treated the sector disgracefully’.



Minister O’Neil went on to say the government's goal was to 'look after Australians with the dignity they deserve', which saw a slew of changes be introduced.

‘Part of that is making sure we have a nurse in every nursing home, the most basic thing you think would already be provided in this country a long time ago,’ she claimed.


View attachment 20657
The discussion was over aged care reforms. Credit: Matthias Zomer/Pexels

The minister also called on the opposition to show ‘a little bit of contrition’ for how they handled – and contributed – to the situation.

‘We're not going to apologise for fixing up the mess of the former Government; we are going to forge forward and make sure that we give these people proper dignity and care,’ she said, ending her piece.



On the other hand, Senator Hume accused the current government of 'propagating the problem' and of ‘wrongly expediting’ the inquiry's findings.

She said that forcing nurses into aged care facilities too soon would allegedly cause more homes to go out of business.

The senator suggested that some aged care residences should be granted exemptions if they were unable to meet the new requirements. What followed was a heated back-and-forth between the two political leaders.

Minister O’Neil said: ‘We now need a bit of responsibility and shame and contrition from the former Government for what you did to this sector and how you treated elderly people.’

Senator Hume fired back: ‘Actually, this was your policy when you were the Shadow Minister, Clare, and now the homes are shutting.’

Minister O’Neil argued: ‘Yeah, and it's a really good policy, and you are saying that we should not have a nurse in every nursing home?’



At this point, Barr tried intervening but was barely able to get a word in.

At some point during the interview, Minister O'Neil dismissed the argument that implementing 24/7 nurses ahead of schedule was detrimental to aged care residents.

She argued: 'What we are saying is that we’ve got a bold ambition to properly care for elderly people as quickly as we can, because every year that we wait … every day that we wait, more people are being mistreated.'

‘It’s pushing people out of homes,’ was Senator Hume’s response.

With the debate reaching a fever pitch, Barr decided it was time to step in, mediating the exchange and ensuring the audience was able to digest the points made by both sides of the argument.

‘Okay. Okay. Look, I think you've both had your say, and you know, people can make up their own minds because this affects every family in Australia,’ the TV host said.

You can read the full transcript of the interview here.



This comes after Natalie Barr and David Koch’s interview with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb earlier this week. The discussion was about the incident that occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility, where a 95-year-old grandmother named Clare, who has sadly passed away, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly failing to drop a knife while approaching the authority figure.

The TV hosts grilled the police commissioner over the matter, which opened up discourse over training for aged care staff and reforms. You can read more details about this case here.
Key Takeaways

  • Sunrise host Natalie Barr was forced to intervene in a heated debate between Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Liberal Senator Jane Hume over aged care reforms.
  • Both guests attempted to blame each other for the sector's failings, and Barr had to step in to keep the conversation civil.
  • Minister O'Neil argued that the aged care royal commission's findings pointed to the former Liberal government's neglect of elderly Australians.
  • Senator Hume accused the government of wrongly ‘expediting the findings’ of the inquiry and forcing aged care facilities to implement reforms quickly, leading to closures.
Do you have an opinion on this aged care reform? If so, then please don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
A pity the government use this argument with electricity prices
 
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Whilst ever the aged care sector is for profit nothing will change. The food in most of them is dreadful. More like the food you would get in a badly run mess hall. Mostly they follow the guidelines put out for food intake and product. That means lots of low end garbage. Most elderly need protein and good quality at that. Also good fats. Mostly the food is cooked in seed oils and they get sugar laden rubbish. From seeing my father and father in law in aged care it don't want to be anywhere near it if I can help it. I have always said when the first retirement villages were built this will be a divide and conquer. Then they started adding higher care to these places. Now they control the whole lot, the government doesn't care because if someone dies there it's one less pension to pay and the facility gets to sell the villa or room to the next one on the list.
The Government does not pay the Pension. I/We do by way of Taxation. The Government simply transfers the Funds.
 
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