AGED CARE WORKERS WELCOME FIRST ROYAL COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARINGS - AND DEMAND FUNDS RIPPED FROM SYSTEM BE RESTORED
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.
United Voice members across the country are passionate and hard-working aged care workers consistently working in the best interests of care recipients.
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 says, "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."
Background:
United Voice represents Australian workers employed in aged care. They work in residential aged care, as personal carers, gardeners, cooks and cleaners, in in-home care as support workers and personal care workers. As the people working in aged care on a daily basis, our members appreciate the opportunity to have their opinions, concerns and experiences considered as part of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Aged care is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Australian workforce. There are currently over 300,000 people working in residential aged care and home care, approximately 3% of Australia's total workforce. It is estimated that there will be over a million workers in the care sector by 2050.
