P O L I C Y, L O B B Y I N G & A D V O C A C Y U P D A T E
Policy and Advocacy update T
his year is set to be an incredibly busy and interesting year in shaping the future of our health care system through the levers of government policy and spending. With a federal election due sometime before the end of May, the team at Occupational Therapy Australia is readying itself for an intensive period of communicating and conveying our interests and issues to those who may determine the immediate priorities of the country. At the time of writing, it appears that the incumbent government is facing an uphill battle to retain control of the House of Representatives, the House in which government is formed. With the Coalition holding fewer than half of those seats, it only governs because the Labor Opposition holds fewer. Labor needs to win just a handful of seats to achieve a change in government, however there is speculation that more independent candidates will consider entering the race. This could result in government relying on independents to hold the deciding vote at each tabling of legislation. Overall, it appears that we will be in for a close call come election night.
What does this mean for occupational therapists? A close race always ensures that Government and the Opposition are increasingly responsive to bright ideas and sound arguments. Election time always presents itself as a promising opportunity to present solutions to existing issues and to highlight emerging problems within current systems.
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Whilst state and federal elections provide opportunities to meet with Ministers and Opposition, the wheels of the bureaucracy continue to grind. The machinations of the NDIS continue unabated and with the pandemic entering its third year the national deficit continues to escalate. This will undoubtedly mean that all government schemes, including the NDIS, will come under pressure to curb costs, revise pricing and look at innovative and different models of operating. This has already been signalled with the NDIS and members can expect OTA to advocate strongly for the scope and rate of services that occupational therapists provide for those living with disabilities. Last year, a review of how we treat our elderly was welcomed with the commitment to a Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and as the commencement of recommendations accepted takes place, we will keep a watchful eye to ensure the value of our members is fully recognized and realized. As a society, we are measured by how we treat our elderly, and we should aspire to recognize, respect, and support
our senior community members regardless of whether they choose to remain in their own homes or enter other arrangements. Last year saw the close of a 20-year conflict in Afghanistan. Occupational therapists will continue to work with veterans and their families from not only this war but from conflicts long past, often for the remaining life span of these clients. OTA welcomes the commencement of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. These independent commissions provide organisations with the unique opportunity to have submissions considered separately and impartially from politics. A strong defence of the role of, and opportunities for occupational therapists to work with veterans will be delivered in consultation with our membership and consumer groups representing our veterans. An enormous amount of work is being undertaken across the country at both state and federal level in the area of mental health. OTA is contributing to the conversation with the Thinking Ahead: The Future of Occupational Therapy and
As a society, we are measured by how we treat our elderly, and we should aspire to recognize, respect, and support our senior community members
