Federal Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis expects three current cases she has been working on to be part of a new inquiry aimed at safeguarding older Australians from abuse.
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The Australian Law Reform Commission will conduct the inquiry and report by May 2017.
“Significant and profound incidents have been brought to my notice in the past nine months,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
“One is the unauthorised use of an elderly client’s image in a video that IRT aged carers Shane Lyttle and Eddie Lee raised concerns about,” Mrs Sudmalis told the Times.
Attorney General George Brandis announced the inquiry yesterday (February 24), which Mrs Sudmalis hopes will bring on a meeting between Lee, Lyttle and Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt as early as next week.
She backgrounded Mr Wyatt on Monday about their case and he is seeking more information from his department.
The second case she is working on relates to another aged care worker who has observed what she describes as “uncompassionate care shown by some carers and providers”.
A third case relates to the manipulation of power of attorney.
Anyone who makes a submission will be protected by parliamentary privilege.
“The Government is taking significant steps to put the rights of older Australians on the national agenda,” Senator Brandis said.
Mrs Sudmalis said “the Government is appalled by reports of the levels of elder abuse within our communities”.
“As the World Health Organisation identified, effective responses and prevention measures are less developed than for family violence and child abuse.”
“This inquiry will assist the Government in identifying best practices for protecting older Australians while promoting respect for their rights and preferences.”
To make a submission to the Law Reform Commission inquiry, contact ann.sudmalis.mp@aph.gov.au or mail PO BOX 1009 NOWRA 2541.
