9 May 2022
It was a case of the accidental politicians when ANMF (SA Branch) officers donned corflutes and flags to campaign for ‘real change for aged care’ outside the Adelaide Showgrounds on Friday.
Who should stroll by but State Labor Minister for Human Services Nat Cook, who was on her way to an unrelated event.
Nat happily posed for pics with ANMF reps, saying: “Everybody should expect the highest quality care and support to be provided and our aged care workers, our nurses who work in aged care, want to be able to provide the best quality but in order to do that the Government has to take responsibility for providing the funding and actually caring.
“An Albanese Labor Government will do that,’’ she said.
“Ageing is a privilege and the appropriate supports and care when you are older is actually a human right.’’
Nat wasn’t the only pollie passing by. Who should happen to drive past Goodwood Rd as ANMF officers were packing up for the day? None other than Sturt federal Labor candidate Sonja Baram, who gave us all a big thumbs up.
The ANMF’s Fix Aged Care campaign pledge has received unanimous support from Labor’s federal ranks, along with the Greens and key independents. Sonja, too, has committed to our key asks, namely:
- An RN on site 24/7
- Legally binding safe minimum staffing levels
- Transparency and accountability for funding
- Higher wages for aged care workers
“By contrast, not one member of the Liberal Party, including their candidates in Sturt and Boothby, has committed to the measures we absolutely know will greatly boost an otherwise demoralised, decimated aged care sector,’’ said ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM.
“And that is an appalling shame.’’