Health Transparency Bill 2019
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee
Vote on a motion
Vote on a motion during the sitting day. The Health Transparency Bill passed second reading on the voices without a recorded division; this division likely relates to a different motion.
The motion was agreed to.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
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Ayes (49)
Noes (34)
Vote on a motion
This division appears to relate to a procedural motion during the sitting day. The debate on the Health Transparency Bill was adjourned and continued the following day.
The motion was rejected.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
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Ayes (43)
Noes (46)
▸21 members spoke14 support7 mixed
Spoke in support of the bill, sharing her personal experience with her grandmother's dementia and aged care. Criticised the federal government for opposing transparency reporting.
“I rise to speak in support of the Health Transparency Bill 2019.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
As Minister for Health, moved the second reading and foreshadowed amendments. Outlined the bill's framework for publishing information about health and aged-care facilities and introducing minimum staffing standards in public aged-care facilities.
“The Palaszczuk government cannot and will not wait for the Commonwealth government to act.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard
Supported the bill, speaking about the difficulty of deciding when to place a parent in aged care. Raised concerns about attracting staff to regional aged-care facilities.
“We will support this bill and I commend it to the House.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
As shadow health minister, did not oppose the bill but heavily criticised the government's track record on health transparency and IT projects. Raised concerns about the evidence base for the 3.65-hour ratio and the two-year implementation period.
“Queenslanders have had enough of his 'dog ate my homework' excuses and continually wrong health priorities.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard
As a nurse, strongly supported the bill and its provisions for aged-care staffing ratios. Spoke about the importance of transparency for consumers making aged-care decisions.
“I support this bill.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
As committee chair, supported the bill and emphasised the need for staffing ratios in aged-care facilities. Criticised the Commonwealth for opposing the bill and failing to engage with the committee inquiry.
“The intent of this bill is, at its core, to ensure our elderly, vulnerable citizens are looked after safely and well in the residential aged-care facilities in which they reside.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard
Spoke on the bill, declaring her partner chairs a not-for-profit aged-care facility. Did not explicitly oppose but raised concerns about evidence base for ratios and implementation. Praised aged-care workers.
“I really thank them for their efforts and for what they do.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
As committee deputy chair, supported the bill's passage but raised concerns about the lack of research basis for the 3.65-hour ratio and that the requirements only apply to 16 state aged-care facilities, not 33 multipurpose services or 11 transition healthcare programs.
“The bill should be supported, but a lot more work needs to be done.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard
Supported the bill as enabling collection and publication of information to make the healthcare system safer.
“Today I rise to speak in support of the Health Transparency Bill.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
Supported the bill and spoke about the need for transparency in aged care, referencing the closure of Moreton Bay Nursing Care Unit under the previous LNP government.
“Our elders have worked hard to provide for their families, our economy and our state. We cannot keep letting them down.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard
Spoke to the bill, supporting the aged care royal commission but raising concerns about the lack of evidence for minimum care levels and the cost of implementation.
“We support the federal aged care royal commission. We need all levels of government to work together.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
As committee member, did not oppose the bill but raised concerns about the arbitrary basis for the 3.65-hour ratio and that ratios only apply to 16 state facilities, not 33 multipurpose health services or 11 transition healthcare programs.
“Every Queenslander—indeed, every Australian—deserves the highest quality of world-class care in our residential aged-care facilities.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard
Supported the bill, sharing personal experience with his mother's 14 years working in aged care. Called for the measures to weed out failures in the health and aged-care system.
“I rise to speak in support of the Health Transparency Bill 2019.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
Supported the bill, sharing stories from committee visits to aged-care facilities where residents reported waiting long periods for assistance due to insufficient staffing.
“Our ageing Queenslanders need to be looked after and provided with high-quality aged care in a timely way.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard
As Minister, supported the bill and spoke about the government's commitment to ensuring Queenslanders in care are safe.
“I rise in support of the Health Transparency Bill 2019.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
Supported the bill and staffing ratios in aged care. Called for a fundamental paradigm shift in provision of aged care, arguing against leaving it to the private market.
“We need to acknowledge the fundamental conflict between the pursuit of profit and the universal provision of high-quality aged care.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard
Supported the bill and expressed disappointment that the LNP was not supporting the ratios. Urged members to read the evidence before voting.
“Any member in this place who votes against transparency votes against the stark, harrowing and direct evidence of nurses and doctors.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
Supported the bill, sharing personal connection to aged-care issues and speaking about a visit to Redlands aged-care facility that was already meeting the proposed staffing levels.
“This bill is about making sure that our parents, our grandparents, the ones we love and members of our community are treated with respect, with dignity, and are provided with the appropriate level of care.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard
Supported the bill as going some way to bringing the health and aged-care systems into the light and raising the bar for elderly care.
“The Health Transparency Bill that is before us goes some way to bringing our health and aged-care systems into the light.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
As shadow minister for seniors, did not oppose the bill but questioned why it took two years to introduce and would take another two years to implement. Commended the federal Morrison government for establishing the aged care royal commission.
“The true measure of any society is how it treats and looks after its most vulnerable.”— 2019-11-27View Hansard
Spoke on the bill and transparent reporting of health facilities. Raised various concerns about health services in Hervey Bay.
“I rise to speak in the debate on the Health Transparency Bill 2019, which deals with transparent reporting of Queensland public and private health facilities.”— 2019-11-28View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill requires Queensland hospitals and aged care facilities to publicly report quality and staffing information so consumers can make informed choices. It also sets minimum staffing ratios for public aged care facilities and streamlines health complaint handling between the Health Ombudsman and national regulators.
Who it affects
Aged care residents and families gain access to staffing information and minimum standards in public facilities. Hospital patients can compare outcomes between facilities. Health practitioners face a more coordinated complaints process.
Health facility transparency
Creates a framework requiring hospitals and aged care facilities to publicly report outcome and staffing information, enabling consumers to compare providers.
- Public and private hospitals must report outcome information
- Aged care facilities must report staffing information
- Information published for consumer access
Aged care staffing
Introduces minimum staffing requirements in public residential aged care facilities following the 2017 election commitment.
- Minimum nurse and support worker skill mix ratio introduced
- Minimum average daily resident care hours required
- Applies to public residential aged care facilities
Health Ombudsman reforms
Implements parliamentary committee recommendations to improve coordination between the Health Ombudsman and AHPRA.
- Joint consideration of complaints between OHO and AHPRA
- Health Ombudsman can make final prohibition orders for unregistered practitioners
- Reduced splitting of matters between regulatory bodies