United Voice

Louise Tarrant, LHMU National Secretary says "Tony Abbott's proposals are too short term - what's needed are long term solutions, not short term electioneering fixes. There is no guarantee that any of Abbott's proposals will solve today's aged care problems, let alone the problems of the future as Australia's population continues to age.
 
"As for the 3000 new beds, this is the Coalition recycling money into beds that have already been allocated to aged care but not taken up by providers.

"Aged care services in Australia can’t cope with current need much less the growth expected in coming years. That’s why the Federal Labor Government has asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a wide ranging review of the sector and provide reform proposals by the end of this year. 
 
"Three key issues are under review:

• How can an increase in appropriate accommodation be met – and how is that best funded?
• How can more Australians be supported to age in dignity at home – and how is that best supported and funded?
  
• How are the critical workforce shortages that plague the sector to be overcome?
  
  

"More beds when there are already staff shortages in the sector is madness. Without addressing key issues such as workload, ratios and wages these beds will remain empty because of lack of staff.

"There is widespread agreement across the aged care sector that the current system needs radical overhaul. So Tony Abbott’s short term and simplistic aged care response simply throws money at a failed system. It fails to address the needs of aging at home – the reality for millions of Australians. And it fails to address current workforce shortages. 
 
"If Tony Abbott was committed to genuinely provide our aging population with certainty and security then he would:

• commit to being part of the community discussion occurring through the Productivity Commission,
  
• commit to a long term 20 years vision for the sector not just one focussed on the current election cycle,
  
• commit to decent retirement incomes by supporting increases to superannuation.

 
"Overall this is a disappointing development in the community debate around aged care. It seems like a short term knee-jerk political fix to a serious long term issue in our community.

"And last, but certainly not least, workers are the missing link in Tony Abbott's proposal. We're disappointed that he has focussed on providers rather than the aged care professionals who are the backbone of aged care in Australia," says Louise Tarrant.