Media Release | 10 September 2025
Bevan Eatts MLA
Shadow Minister for Aged Care
Shadow Minister for Aged Care Bevan Eatts MLA has slammed the Cook Labor Government for failing to demonstrate how it is advocating for WA seniors, as the Commonwealth prepares to allocate 20,000 newly announced home care packages across Australia.
In Parliament this week, Mr Eatts pressed the Minister for Aged Care to provide an update after she told media last week she was “eyeing off” nearly half of the new packages for WA.
Under questioning, however, the Minister backpedalled and refused to provide any detail.
“Instead of updating the Parliament on what action she has taken to fight for WA seniors, the Minister chose to attack the Opposition,” Mr Eatts said.
“She needs to remember she is the one in the chair representing WA at the table.
“Seniors and their families don’t want political spin — they want certainty about the care they need to stay safe, independent, and at home.”
Mr Eatts said the case for prioritising regional communities was overwhelming.
“In regional WA, shortages are acute, with the 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care and Safety finding the availability of aged care in regional, rural and remote areas is poor, and worsening,” Mr Eatts said.
“On average, seniors living in the regions have lower incomes, poorer education, and poorer health outcomes, yet face greater disadvantages with a scarcity of local services, longer travel times, and higher costs to access health services.
Despite accounting for around 10 per cent of Australia’s aged population, WA is receiving less than 8 per cent of the national aged care funding allocation and we currently have around 8,000 people on the waitlist for home care packages.”
Mr Eatts acknowledged that the allocation of packages is a matter for the Commonwealth, with the Department of Health making decisions based on assessed need across the country.
“The Minister cannot direct where these packages go, but she can advocate strongly.
“She should be making the strongest possible case for WA, especially for our regions.
“At the very least, she should be using her platform to fight for seniors, not to dodge questions.”
Mr Eatts said it was also disappointing there is no clarity on whether the WA Government made a submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee inquiry into aged care service delivery.
That inquiry, which has received submissions from across the sector and community, is examining the impact of delayed reforms and withheld home care packages. It has already forced the Commonwealth to change its approach and will conclude next week with a final report.
“This is an important inquiry that has delivered results,” Mr Eatts said.
“If the WA Government has not bothered to make a submission, that would be a serious failure of advocacy.
“WA families deserve to know whether their government is putting their needs in front of Canberra — or simply sitting on the sidelines.”
Mr Eatts also demanded greater transparency, calling on the Minister to table any correspondence with her Federal counterpart since the announcement was made.
“If the Minister is genuine about showing WA’s seniors she is fighting for them, she should table the correspondence immediately,” Mr Eatts said.
“Families deserve to see exactly what advocacy is, or isn’t, happening on their behalf.”
ENDS
