The Morrison Government’s drip feed of funding into aged care does nothing to address the crisis that the sector is in.
“While the Morrison Government continues to feed money into a broken system, the workforce is being crushed by staff shortages, poor pay and insecure work,” HSU National Secretary Lloyd Williams said.
“While funding in the aged care sector is always welcome, right now it needs to be used as a tool for delivering real change.
“Many more home care packages are desperately needed, but they can’t be properly delivered if there isn’t a strong workforce and system in place first.”
Mr Williams said real change in aged care comes from addressing the workforce issues and adequately and transparently funding the sector.
“We should know where the money is going when it reaches the aged care system,” he said.
“But the Morrison Government said it will oppose the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Financial Transparency) Bill 2020 that would deliver that transparency and continues to stall on addressing the systemic issues.”
Mr Williams said all aged care workers need a pay rise, safe staff levels, secure employment, ongoing training and development and safe workplaces.
“More aged care workers need to be attracted and retained to ensure the holistic care that older Australians deserve and currently the system isn’t doing that.”
“If the health and wellbeing of older Australians was a priority to the Prime Minister, he would get on with fixing the broken aged care system with a real plan.”
“It’s time this Government delivered real change.”
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