Shadow health minister Anne Ruston is pushing for a legislative overhaul of the government's controversial integrated assessment tool for aged care, introducing a private member's bill that would mandate human oversight.
The bill seeks to restore the discretion of human assessors to override algorithmic decisions when professional judgment identifies errors. It also demands greater transparency, requiring that every assessment decision be accompanied by an explanation of how the algorithm and professional judgment were applied.
A key provision would allow anyone who received an assessment under the current computer-only system to request a reassessment, as Ruston claims many results have been "clearly incorrect." The move targets a tool that has drawn widespread criticism for its opaque, automated decision-making.
The proposal threatens to deepen political divisions on aged care policy, with the government defending the algorithm's efficiency. Passage of the bill remains uncertain given the coalition's minority position in parliament.
Critics argue that while oversight is welcome, a reassessment process could overwhelm an already strained system, delaying care for those waiting for decisions.