MEDIA RELEASE
22 MAY 2022
The Australian Aged Care Collaboration (AACC) is calling on the incoming Labor government and the large crossbench to deliver on the promise of political change by nominating aged care reform as a priority for the first 100 days and to ensure it features in any crossbench negotiations in the coming days and weeks.
AACC congratulates Prime Minister-elect Anthony Albanese and his incoming government.
To ensure older Australians get the care they deserve we need ambitious and immediate action.
Labor made nurses and care minutes in aged care a prominent part of its election platform.
Labor also pledged to back aged care workers’ case for a 25% pay rise in the Fair Work Commission and promised to fund the outcome of the case.
These are significant steps forward but we also need an immediate injection of funds to avoid further deepening of the current crisis.
Aged care was at the top of voters’ minds during the election campaign. Recent surveys from the Australian National University and also the ABC’s Vote Compass confirmed that aged care ranked as a top issue of concern.
The crossbench can deliver on the promise to serve local communities and their priorities by including aged care as part of any negotiations with the incoming government.
While there are still many seats in doubt, it is clear that the crossbench will be large and unprecedented. AACC congratulates all incoming MPs.
The election has helped focus attention on the need for ambitious action for older Australians and for greater respect and better pay for aged care workers.
The care economy was at the heart of the Labor pitch for election and it should be top of its agenda in government.
We look forward to working in partnership with the new Minister for Aged Care and the whole of government on the transformation needed to deliver better support and care for all older Australians.
Authorised by Claerwen Little, Australian Aged Care Collaboration, Sydney