Campus Review Vol 31. Issue 06 - June 2021 | Page 6

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Hand in pocket

ANU survey finds support for an aged care tax .

Most Australians support paying more tax to fix the nation ’ s scandal-plagued aged care system , a survey has revealed .

The Australian National University study involved 3200 respondents , with
85.4 per cent backing an aged care improvement levy .
“ A third of those in favour , 33.5 per cent , said this levy should be paid by all taxpayers ,” study co-author Nicholas Biddle said .
“ This would seem to imply Australians back any effort to improve aged care with extra funding .”
Twelve per cent of respondents said they had no confidence at all in the current system , while only 1.8 per cent said they had a “ great deal ” of confidence .
“ Our study paints a very timely , and sadly very bleak , picture of the state of aged care according to Australians , and our overall faith in a system that has come under close scrutiny in recent years ,” Professor Biddle said .
“ With an increased focus on the aged care workforce , it is very troubling that only 5 per cent of Australians said they would definitely recommend a young person work in the industry , and only 10.1 per cent saying they would definitely recommend an unemployed person working in the industry .”
The study follows 148 recommendations in the Aged Care Royal Commission final report handed down earlier this year and a federal budget funding allocation of $ 17.7bn to reform the sector .
OTHER FINDINGS :
• Almost 70 per cent of respondents were aged over 45 , with 12 per cent saying they worried a lot about becoming a burden on their family as they got older .
• Females were more likely to say they provided care for an aged member of their family than males – 14 per cent compared to 9.4 per cent , and
• More people were confident ( 45 per cent ) or very confident ( 11.1 per cent ) about being able to afford aged care services at home , rather than services in a facility . ■

‘ Hermit nation ’ warning

USyd report finds Australia faces ‘ lost decade ’ if it doesn ’ t reopen .

Australians face a “ lost decade ” inside a “ hermit nation ” left far behind the rest of the world if the country doesn ’ t open up soon .

That ’ s according to a report prepared by leading figures from business , law , arts and academia that was launched by former NSW Premier Mike Baird .
“ If Australia is not ready to reopen effectively when the world recovers from the worst of the pandemic , we face enormous dislocation socially and prolonged pain economically ,” the report says .
“ If we do not , it is no exaggeration to say that young people , in particular , face a lost decade .”
The report , entitled ‘ A Roadmap to Reopening ’ will be submitted to the NSW government and the authors hope it will be submitted to national cabinet for consideration .
Herbert Smith Freehills partner Mark Rigotti , who chaired the Sydney University task force that put the report together , said Australia had “ won the war ” by containing COVID-19 but it now needs to “ win the peace ” as well .
Mr Rigotti even invoked North Korea ’ s reputation as a “ hermit nation ” in relation to Australia ’ s hardline stance .
“ Safe re-engagement requires industry and place-specific strategies anchored in public health principles – by guiding by the objective of reopening our society – not reverting into a hermit nation ,” Mr Rigotti said in a statement .
The report proposes a three-pronged approach to reopening . It would require widespread and rapid vaccination , rigorous testing of overseas arrivals at the border , and the development of a quarantine system that takes into account the specific needs of different industries . ■
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