Immunity over use of restraints in Australian aged care may breach torture conventions, lawyers say

Advocates say proposed laws are an extraordinary overreach' but minister says they are needed for safety

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Proposed federal aged care laws that would give providers immunity from prosecution over the use of restraints may breach international agreements on civil rights and torture, advocates say.

A bill legislating the aged care royal commission's recommendations passed the House of Representatives last week, and is expected to pass the Senate this week. It implements 14 recommendations including new funding, a staff code of conduct, and an independent pricing authority.