Victor leads Russell Kennedy’s national Aged Care Law practice. For the last 30 years he has provided legal advice to the aged care industry and litigation services in Royal Commissions, Coronial Inquests, Federal and Supreme Courts, the AAT and other Tribunals. He has produced many leading compliance and templates documents as well as training to minimise risk for his clients.
Victor has been recognised as a preeminent Health & Aged Care Lawyer in Victoria in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide listing. He also holds a Masters in Health and Medical Law and has been consistently listed by Best Lawyers Australia for Health and Aged Care Law since 2012 – including being named ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in Melbourne for Health and Aged Care Law (2014) and Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law (2023).
Navigating the new aged care act: A practical guide to rights-based reform
Precis
Providers have a unique opportunity to change service delivery to meet the Aged Care Act’s major shift in emphasis to a rights-based model in the context of the reforms focused on protecting the consumer. These changes impact governance and leadership, systems and culture as well as the relationship with the consumers. This session will explore in a practical way how providers can interpret and enact the reforms focused on protecting the consumer including:
• The Statement of Rights and Principles.
• Supported Decision-making.
• Whistleblower Disclosures.
• The Statutory Duty of Care and Compensation.
• Higher Everyday Living Services.
• Strengthened disclosure requirements.
The session will explain what has changed, the strengths and limitations of the new obligations and how to implement the changes.
The ideal of human rights and the reality of legal protections panel
Precis
Australia’s aged care reforms are framed around a human rights approach, but do our current laws and protections truly reflect this ideal? This panel will explore where the gaps lie between rights on paper and rights in practice. From recognising the role of providers, regulators and government, to considering how families and older people themselves can be better supported, the discussion will focus on practical ways to make rights meaningful in daily care. Together, the panel will examine how we can move closer to a system where dignity, choice and respect are not just aspirations, but everyday realities.