18 May 2022
Three key political parties have described what specific actions they will take to reform aged care if elected in the lead up to the federal election on Saturday.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Federal Secretary Annie Butler said the next government would need to ensure real reform in the health and aged care systems.
“Our politicians must place the health and wellbeing of the Australian people at the heart of their policies,” she said.
The major party’s commitments for aged care
- The Labor party and the Greens have committed to requiring a registered nurse in all aged care facilities 24 hours a day. The Liberals and Nationals have committed to a Registered nurse being on site in aged care facilities 16 hours per day.
- The Labor party will mandate the minimum number of care minutes and staff in aged care facilities as recommended by the Royal Commission. The Greens will mandate the minimum number of care minutes and staff in aged care facilities as recommended by the In contrast, the Liberals and Nationals will not mandate the full minimum care minutes recommended by Royal Commission.
- Both the Labor party and the Greens said they would support funding pay rises for aged care staff, while the Liberal and National parties refuse to support and fund the wage case.
- Ensuring funding goes to care, the Labor Party and the Greens have committed to Public reporting on how aged care providers spend funding. Additionally, Labor will introduce a new general duty of care for providers and apply criminal and civil penalties for dodgy providers. The Liberal and National parties have not supported transparency on how funding is spent.
- The Labor party will introduce mandatory food standards in aged care, while the Liberal and National parties have not indicated any accountability in adequate food expenditure. The Greens made no announcements concerning food quality.
Story by ANMJ staff