It’s been a bad week for federal aged care and seniors minister Sam Rae. Plus, there’s news from Cancer Australia and a stack of corporate appointments.
National Party deputy leader and federal member for Gippsland Darren Chester did not mince words in Parliament this week when it came to his opinion of one government minister.
In question time Mr Chester challenged the minister for aged care and seniors, Sam Rae on Support at Home delays and was heard gently heckling Mr Rae during his answer. The words “you’re delusional” floated across the despatch box.
Later Mr Chester made it formal, calling for the resignation of Mr Rae in the wake of last Monday’s damaging ABC Four Corners episode about the Support at Home program.
“We have an absolutely delusional Minister who is clearly out of his depth and should be removed from his portfolio,” Mr Chester said.
“This minister is dealing with matters of life and death, and he is clearly completely and utterly out of his depth.
“We have a junior minister who has repeatedly demonstrated no empathy for older Australians and no urgency in fixing the problems in a system that is failing hundreds of thousands of people every year.”
Mr Chester said his office had repeatedly written to Minister Rae on behalf of older Gippslanders with urgent needs experiencing long delays, since 1 November 2025, but had not received a response.
“Without any shadow of doubt, this is the worst-performing minister I have dealt with in my time in office,” Mr Chester said.
“I don’t know whether it is arrogance, incompetence, or the sheer workload of complaints reaching the minister’s office, but it is simply not good enough to ignore genuine requests from older Gippslanders who are concerned about their Support at Home packages.”
Ouch.
Related
Celebration for Cancer Australia
Cancer Australia has celebrated its 20th anniversary of national leadership in cancer control at a Parliament House event attended by federal health minister Mark Butler.
The 2026 Jeannie Ferris Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to improving cancer outcomes, were presented to Kirralee Hughes and Dr Andrea Garrett.
Ms Hughes, co-founder of the Mark Hughes Foundation, has helped raise more than $30 million for brain cancer research and support, including securing a $15 million commitment for a dedicated research centre at the University of Newcastle.
Dr Garrett, a gynaecological oncologist, has improved access to cancer care for women across Queensland, particularly in rural, remote, and underserved communities, including culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Also announced was a new supported placement initiative for rural, regional, and remote health service leaders will be delivered through the Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network, offering two six-week placements in 2026-27 at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Other appointments
James Miller is stepping down as director of Ryman Healthcare to focus on his recent appointment as chair of the Financial Markets Authority. He will remain on the Ryman board until the end of October.
Mayne Pharma has appointed Jacob Ma-Weaver to its board, effective immediately.
Integral Diagnostics has appointed Jenny Martin as its new chief financial officer. She is currently chair of the audit and risk committee at ASX-listed SenSen Networks.