New laws needed to protect elderly people from substandard care and abuse in aged care homes

Almost half of the 10,000-plus public submissions to royal commission referred to substandard care, with 588 mentioning sexual assault

Mandatory staff ratios in residential aged care and new laws to protect the rights of elderly people are among 124 recommendations put forward to a royal commission probing the sector.

The inquiry heard on Thursday the sector has systemic failures, is rife with abuse and should be overhauled to ensure people receive high-quality care.