17 May 2021
“It is disturbing that after everything we’ve seen on some providers misusing funds, that this funding comes with no strings attached,’’ writes ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler in an opinion piece on the Commonwealth’s aged care budget in the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Some providers will choose to do the right thing and invest in care. Many may not.
“This measure is also counter to the very positive step of requiring providers to publicly disclose staffing levels and care minutes for residents in their facilities.
“The royal commission found that Australia’s aged-care system is understaffed, and the workforce underpaid and under-trained. It concluded that inadequate staffing levels, skills mix and training were the principal causes of substandard care in the current system.
“It clearly stated that there are many ingredients that enable the provision of high quality and safe aged care, but it cannot be achieved without the sector having enough staff with the right skills and time to care.
“Disappointingly, this budget will not guarantee high quality and safe aged care. It’s particularly disappointing because this package is the government’s full response to the royal commission, which is simply not enough.’’
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