PROVIDERS BAND TOGETHER TO DELIVER AGED CARE ADVOCACY MESSAGE TO GOVERNMENT

This week CHA delivered a positive message for age care reform together with a coalition of not-for profit, faith-based aged care providers and the Health Services Union.

While the public narrative of the aged care sector is one plagued by division and conflict, the reality is very different. This was evidenced by the diverse group who together briefed MPs and advisors on key requirements to deliver funding sustainability for aged care providers, lift pay and conditions for aged care workers and attract skilled temporary workers to Australia.

CHA joined key providers Uniting NSW & ACT, BaptistCare NSW, Anglicare Sydney, and the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI). Together we cover the workplaces of tens of thousands of Health Services Union members and are united in our commitment to take the sector forward.

We presented a range of positive actions that can be taken by the Government, providers and unions to secure the financial sustainability of the sector and quality outcome for our residents and clients. Some of the solutions discussed include:
• Indexation rates are to properly reflect wages, conditions and associated employment costs in the sector, including outcomes of enterprise bargaining
• Investigating a requirement that people with means to contribute more to the cost of their aged care do so
• Provide structured support to engage and develop local aged care workers
• Remove barriers that disadvantage foreign workers and make aged care jobs in Australia less desirable to other countries
• A joint commitment to work with unions and employers to ensure the next stage of the Work Value case is delivered as soon as possible, including securing funding for wages and associated costs for implementation of any further wage increases
We are hoping that the shared vision we presented challenges MPs to also embrace bipartisanship and deliver for aged care recipients and their families.

L-R Rear: Jason Kara, CHA; Senator David Pocock; Charles Moore, BaptistCare NSW; Louanne Riboldi, RFBI; Frank Price; RFBI; Simon Miller, Anglicare
L-R Front: Chris Friend, HSU; Lauren Hutchins, HSU; Emma Maiden, Uniting NSW & ACT