The Health Services Union has launched a hard-hitting advertising campaign targeting Queensland LNP MP George Christensen and the Prime Minister, urging them to address Australia's aged care crisis in the upcoming budget.
The pre-budget blitz will see radio ads calling on Mr Christensen and the Prime Minister to consider spending a night in an aged care facility, where one aged carer looks after 60 residents, and residents face long waits for their basic needs to be met.
"The Federal Government must finally address the damning Aged Care Royal Commission in its budget next week with a drastic increase in funding," said Gerard Hayes, HSU President.
"Aged care residents and hard-working staff have spent far too long waiting for this government to act.
"Four in ten aged care workers intend to leave the sector within the next five years, because they are at breaking point. A workforce crisis is coming unless we see conditions significantly improved.
"We are already fighting at the Fair Work Commission to raise the rate of pay of more than 200,000 personal carers, activities officers, catering, cleaning, and administration workers by at least five dollars an hour.
"The Federal Government has the opportunity to raise the Medicare levy by just 0.65 per cent. This would raise $20.4 billion over four years, funding a pay rise, an additional 59,000 aged care jobs and close to 90 minutes of additional resident care per day.
"This advertising campaign is just a preview of what is to come if the standard of aged care across Australia is not improved.
"We won't stop until we get the result our members deserve and the Federal Government can expect this campaign to continue up until the next election."
