Following Labor's election victory, Mark Butler is now Minister for Health and Ageing, with newcomer Sam Rae (pictured above) appointed Aged Care and Seniors Minister. Sussan Ley takes Liberal reigns.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's ministerial reshuffle has seen the creation of a Cabinet-level Ageing portfolio, and the appointment of a new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors.
Existing Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler's role has been adjusted and expanded. He is now Minister for Health and Ageing, Disability, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Replacing "Aged Care" with "Ageing" is a subtle, but important difference.
National Seniors Australia (NSA) has long called for a Minister for Older Australians and welcomes the recognition of Ageing as a Cabinet-level portfolio and the addition of responsibility for seniors to the Aged Care ministry.
"NSA is pleased to see 'ageing' recognised in cabinet through the change in Minister Butler's title to encompass Health and Ageing," said NSA Chief Executive Officer Chris Grice. "This change signifies that government understands the importance and needs of an ageing population."
"There are many issues facing Australians as they age. Many experience ageism, barriers to mature age employment, elder abuse, poverty, and homelessness which require government support and intervention."
In a statement issued after the ministry announcements, Mr Butler said, "Our task is crystal clear: to strengthen Medicare, protect the PBS, deliver generational reform to aged care, and secure the future of the NDIS."
NSA believes a key focus for Minister Butler should be a full review of the private health insurance system to reduce health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs. And improve the interface between hospitals and aged care to reduce ramping and access to care.
New Aged Care and Seniors Minister, Sam Rae, 38, is a former partner at consultancy firm PwC and Member for the seat of Hawke in Victoria. He has replaced Anika Wells, who is now Minister for Communications and Sport.
Mr Rae, who served as Victorian ALP state secretary in 2015-16, is regarded as "up-and-coming star" of the party's right faction. However, he will serve in the outer ministry, not in Cabinet.
Mr Rae will have a big job managing the introduction of the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program on 1 July 2025, a timeframe that providers have labelled problematic. NSA will be calling on the new minister to prioritise reducing wait times for home care services to three months.
First-time Tasmanian MP Rebecca White, the former leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party, will be the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health, and Women.
Former Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, is now Minister for Social Services, giving her responsibility for delivering government services including the Age Pension through Services Australia. With many older people regularly interfacing with Services Australia and Centrelink, NSA will seek to improve and streamline Age Pension systems and processes. Ms Plibersek will be supported by Ged Kearney as the Assistant Minister for Social Services and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence.
Dr Jim Chalmers continues as Treasurer, with Senator Katy Gallagher as Finance Minister and Dr Daniel Mulino as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services. NSA will continue to pursue its call to protect superannuation and improve the retirement income system, including a continued freeze on pension deeming rates, and the establishment of an Australia Post Bank. We will also be watching the implementation of the cash mandate, due on 1 January 2026, as part of the Keep Cash campaign .
Dr Andrew Leigh is now the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury. NSA will continue to advocate for the Productivity Commission to pursue urgent reform of private health insurance , lowering premiums and reducing health care costs for older Australians.
Matt Keogh will continue as Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel.
The Liberal Party - which suffered unexpected losses at the election, including that of Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton - has elected Sussan Ley as leader, with Ted O'Brien as her deputy. Ms Ley, the Member for Farrer in southern New South Wales, becomes the first woman to lead the Liberals since the party's inception in 1944.
David Littleproud remains Nationals leader after an unsuccessful challenge from Senator Matt Canavan.
Parliamentary Friends of Seniors co-chairs Dr Mike Freelander (Labor) and Rebekha Sharkie (Centre Alliance) were both re-elected, as was Bob Katter (Katter's Australia Party), who turns 80 on 22 May and remains Father of the House. At the time of writing, Senator Richard Colbeck (Liberal) seemed likely to retain his seat.
NSA looks forward to working with the government, opposition, and all MPs and Senators as we continue our advocacy on behalf of older Australians, including those involved with the Parliamentary Friends of Seniors.
Related reading: NSA election demands , The Nightly , The Weekly Source , Australian Ageing Agenda , News
