Sussan Ley wants to do better as Aged Care Minister

The move comes just two weeks after she received the phone call from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to say she was keeping her health and sport portfolios in the ministerial reshuffle.

Responsibility for aged care had previous come under the social service portfolio, now held by Christian Porter, but has been transferred to Ms Ley’s health portfolio.

Ms Ley said she instigated the move to make it a minister’s position and look after the 3.7 million Australians aged over 65.

“We all have someone near and dear to us who are in this age group and we all want to ensure they receive the support and care they need and in fact deserve,” she said.

“What better time to embrace our older generations, the services and care they receive now and will receive over the coming generations.

“That’s why I proactively put my hand up to bring responsibility for aged care back to health and give it a seat at the cabinet table.”

During her nine-month term so far, Ms Ley has seen a strong connection between health and aged care services.

“I believe that we can support older Australians, and indeed their carers, better,” she said.

“A key factor in this support is how our aged care services integrate and complement our health services.

“Bringing the aged care portfolio to sit alongside the ministries of health and sport will complement our integrated health system.”

Ms Ley has already identified the primary health care review as a key step in her role as health minister and said that work, aimed at people with chronic and complex conditions, would also benefit the elderly.

“We need to ensure that not only does our aged care sector support the needs of those currently accessing services, it must be ready for the next generation of Australians,” she said.

“I look forward to working with the aged care sector, to hear their thoughts, ideas and aspirations.”