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Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a Parliament House press conference on April 10 after calling the election . Photo : AFP
In the front seat
Aged care to headline in 2022 federal election .
By Eleanor Campbell
With the federal election date set , aged care is looking likely to play in a crucial role in each party ’ s campaign , elevating calls from advocates to commit to sector-wide reform .
Announcing a May 21 poll , Prime Minister Scott Morrison told voters that over the past four years his government had not been “ perfect ” but had acted “ upfront ”. “ You may see some flaws but you can also see what we have achieved for Australia in incredibly difficult times ,” he said .
“ Above all , this election , as all elections are , is a choice .
“ It ’ s a choice between a government you know and a Labor opposition that you don ’ t .”
In his budget reply speech , opposition leader Anthony Albanese made 24 / 7 nursing in aged care the centrepiece of Labor ’ s election pledge .
He said within a year of being elected , every aged care facility in Australia would be required to have a registered nurse onsite “ 24 hours a day , 7 hours a week ”.
“ This is just common sense – and it is common decency ,” he said .
A federal Labor spokesperson has since back-tracked on this
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Aged care workers have risked poverty or homelessness just so they can do their job .
pledge , telling SMH this policy would rely on workforce numbers and “ flexibility ” for providers battling staffing issues .
The sector is facing shortages of up to 110,000 direct care workers by 2030 , according to a CEDA report .
The Australian College of Nursing has called for both parties to commit to more funding to address the “ workforce crisis ”. “ There needs to be investments on multiple fronts to ensure our workforce is sustainable and optimally utilised for generations to come ,” said chief executive Kylie Ward .
“ I constantly hear stories from my colleagues sharing the exhausting toll of COVID-19 on their physical and mental health as they care for the sick and vulnerable .
“ I urge political leaders to listen to the concerns of Australia ’ s largest health profession , as the health of our nation will suffer without nurses .”
Aged care services minister Richard Colbeck said the Coalition supports 24 / 7 nursing but only under the time frame “ recommended by the royal commission ”.
Under the Liberal ’ s plan , 24-hour nursing care would be implemented across the sector by 2024 .
“ Rolling out the strategy any sooner risks the closure of aged care facilities with a serious risk to residents ,” Colbeck said .
Both major parties have committed to funding a 25 per cent wage increase for aged care workers , with only Labor endorsing the union ’ s case with the Fair Work Commission .
In early April thousands of NSW healthcare workers walked off the job across the state to demand higher pay and safer working conditions .
Health Services Union president Gerard Hayes has said the union will continue to support Labor ’ s wage commitment .
“ For too long aged care workers have risked poverty or homelessness just so they can do their job and care for the elderly ,” he said .
“ We have first-hand accounts of our members skipping meals and finishing the fortnight with only a few dollars in their bank account .
“ How any politician thinks it ’ s okay to pay workers as little as $ 22 an hour to care for people suffering dementia is astounding .” ■ agedcareinsite . com . au 3