Anthony Albanese has pledged $2.5 billion towards "fixing" the aged care sector if Labor wins the upcoming federal election.
In his budget reply speech on Thursday evening, two days , the Opposition leader announced his party's plan to "put security, dignity, quality and humanity back into aged care".
"The global pandemic and a Royal Commission have confirmed what so many Australians already knew – our aged care system is in crisis," he said.
Tonight, at the heart of my third budget reply is our plan to fix the crisis in aged care,
"The global pandemic and a Royal Commission have confirmed what so many Australians already knew – our aged care system is in crisis," he said.
"More of us are living long enough to need extra care in our later years.
"But currently that thought fills a generation of Australians and their families with dread."
Mr Albanese said the Liberals "have had a decade to do something about aged care".
"If they are left in power, nothing will change – and the bleak present they have created will be the bleak future awaiting so many more Australians," he said.
Labor's aged care spend would require every aged care facility to have a registered nurse onsite at all hours, along with a new mandate that would require each resident to receive a minimum of 215 minutes of care per day, following royal commission recommendations.
Ambulance attendants wearing full protective clothing prepare a gurney to transport residents to hospital at the Wyoming Nursing Home on August 2, 2021 in Sydn Source: Getty Images
"Our older Australians aren't just a number, they aren't a burden, they are people who deserve respect, courtesy and the best possible attention," Mr Albanese told parliament.
He said Labor would work with multicultural communities to support culturally appropriate care, and give enhanced powers to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, requiring providers report their expenditures.
A Labor government would also support a wage rise for aged care workers, and work with the sector to develop mandatory nutrition standards for aged care homes, Mr Albanese said.
On Tuesday, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the 2022-23 federal budget, which focused on cost of living, jobs and big picture investments in infrastructure and defence.
In it, the Coalition delivered a cost of living package described as "temporary and targeted," aimed at easing pressures from high fuel and rising food costs.
This included a halving of the fuel excise and one-off payments and tax cuts to help meet cost of living pressures.
Last year’s budget delivered billion-dollar spending promises to key sectors like aged care, mental health and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
But with this spending now built into budget forecasts, further promises appeared more restrained this year.
Mr Albanese had previously labelled the Coalition's budget
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said anyone who thinks the budget is only a bid for the government's re-election needs to "read more than the first page".
Renewables, local manufacturing and cheaper childcare
Mr Albanese used his reply to set the stage for the election campaign.
"This agenda isn't radical. My team and I are promising renewal, not revolution," he said.
"I want the sacrifices all of you have made through these tough times to lead to a better future."
His speech outlined five pillars that would form Labor's plan to boost wages and get costs "under control".
These included driving investment and jobs in cheap, renewable energy, plans to boost local manufacturing and invest in infrastructure, along with more opportunities for training and cheaper childcare.
With AAP.