Commissions and Inquiries Working Group
About the working group
The Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) has formed a working group to coordinate the LCA's engagement with relevant commissions and inquiries that may arise.
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
About this Royal Commission
On 16 September 2018, the Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison announced there would be a Royal Commission into the aged care sector.
On 8 October 2018, the Governor-General of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove signed Letters of Patent for the Royal Commission.
The appointed commissioners are:
- Justice Joseph McGrath
- Ms Lynelle Jann Briggs AO.
The final report was handed down in February 2021.
Terms of reference
The commissioners were appointed to be a commission of inquiry, and required and authorised to inquire into the following matters:
- the quality of aged care services provided to Australians, the extent to which those services meet the needs of the people accessing them, the extent of substandard care being provided, including mistreatment and all forms of abuse, the causes of any systemic failures, and any actions that should be taken in response
- how best to deliver aged care services to:
- people with disabilities residing in aged care facilities, including younger people
- the increasing number of Australians living with dementia, having regard to the importance of dementia care for the future of aged care services.
- the future challenges and opportunities for delivering accessible, affordable and high-quality aged care services in Australia, including:
- in the context of changing demographics and preferences, in particular people's desire to remain living at home as they age
- in remote, rural and regional Australia.
- what the Australian Government, aged care industry, Australian families and the wider community can do to strengthen the system of aged care services to ensure that the services provided are of high quality and safe
- how to ensure that aged care services are person‑centred, including through allowing people to exercise greater choice, control and independence in relation to their care, and improving engagement with families and carers on care‑related matters
- how best to deliver aged care services in a sustainable way, including through innovative models of care, increased use of technology, and investment in the aged care workforce and capital infrastructure
- any matter reasonably incidental to a matter referred to in paragraphs (a) to (f) or that the Commissioners believe is reasonably relevant to the inquiry.
Aged Care Royal Commission website
The Commissions and Inquiries Working Group will work in cooperation with the Lutheran aged care organisations to determine how best to respond to the Royal Commission’s report and recommendations now that the report has been released.
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
About this royal commission
On 15 December 2017 the Royal Commission presented its final report to the Governor-General, detailing the culmination of a five year inquiry into institutional responses to child sexual abuse and related matters.
Since the handing over of the final report, the working group's attention has turned towards considering the report's recommendations that relate to the LCA.
News and updates
Click here for news and updates about the LCA's responses to the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
Royal commission's final report
Child Sexual Abuse Royal Commission website
National Redress Scheme
On 16 June 2018 the then General Church Council (GCC) resolved that the LCA will join the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
Established by the Commonwealth Government, the scheme is a direct result of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It will provide a nationally consistent means of response to abuse that occurred within churches and other institutions.
The LCA is joining state and territory governments and non-government bodies across Australia which have already ‘opted in’ to the scheme. These include the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the Salvation Army, the Uniting Church and Scouts Australia. The scheme started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.
Professional Standards Training
For some time now the LCA has expressed its serious concern for the protection of children by requiring that people who engage in ministry with children undergo the specialised training provided by LCA Professional Standards.
LCA Commissions and Inquiries Working Group
admin@lca.org.au
08 8267 7300
