INDEPENDENT Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines has criticised the federal government’s decision to delay the rollout of 80,000 new Home Care Packages.

Originally scheduled for 1 July, the rollout has been pushed to November.

Dr Haines joined 10 other independent MPs and Senators in signing an open letter urging the government to fund at least 20,000 new packages from July to bridge the gap.

“While the sector acknowledges this delay as a frustrating but necessary step, we need more home care packages now to bridge the gap until November,” Dr Haines said.

“In my electorate, people have approved packages but are waiting months for care because of a lack of providers.

"We also can’t delay the rollout of a pricing framework that fairly reflects the travel costs to deliver care in rural areas.”

The letter warns the delay threatens the government’s commitment to reduce wait times to under 90 days by 2027.

It cites research linking long wait times with higher risks of injury, hospitalisation, and early entry into residential care.

Signatories include Senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie, and MPs Monique Ryan, Sophie Scamps, Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall, Andrew Wilkie, Kate Chaney and Andrew Gee.