Aged Care workers welcome first Royal Commission public hearings

| February 11, 2019

United Voice aged care members welcome the first hearings of the Royal Commission today and the key focus on issues affecting the functioning of the Australian aged care system.

The Royal Commission has invited industry representatives to give advice on some of the Commissioners’ key concerns, United Voice will be participating in this first stage.

As well, United Voice, with the HSU, have today embarked on the largest-ever survey of Australian aged care workers to ensure that they have a strong voice in this national discussion and Royal Commission.

Helen Gibbons, Assistant National Secretary of United Voice said we welcome the opportunity to be involved in a national discussion about the importance of aged care and what the future of aged care should be.

“We draw attention to the fact that the Liberal Government has stripped $2 billion out of aged care since 2013 – demonstrating a contempt for our elderly and a lack of vision for Australia’s ageing population.

“These funding cuts have directly resulted in reductions of essential staff in residential care leaving care workers unable to deliver the quality care that their residents deserve.

“And in home care, the Coalition have failed to keep up with demand, leaving 120,000 people on a wait list.

“Quality care cannot be provided with continued funding cuts.

“The Liberal Government needs to show a commitment to quality by immediately restoring the $2 billion ripped out of aged care to ensure there is enough staff on the ground today to deliver quality care.”

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