As regular readers of this blog will know, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese pledged to make it compulsory for every aged care facility to have a registered nurse on site at all hours during last night’s budget reply speech.
Former NSW premier and current aged care boss Mike Baird was on the ABC’s RN breakfast earlier, and backed Labor’s proposal.
Former NSW premier Mike Baird.Credit:Brook Mitchell
“I think it’s a good plan,” he said.
“This is a pretty significant day for the sector. We’ll see more care workers. More nurses. And, finally, recognition that our care workers have deep value. And that’s going to be recognised in higher wages.”
The Health Services Union currently has a case at the Fair Work Commission calling for aged care workers to receive a 25 per cent pay rise. Mr Baird says it’s hard to argue against this case because people who work in disability care currently earn about 25 per cent more than aged care workers.
Loading
Labor has backed a wage rise for aged care workers, but declined to say whether it should be 25 per cent (or something else).
The Morrison government will make submissions to the wage umpire, but won’t be making a submission in favour or against a wage rise.
“I think they should [back Labor’s aged care plan],” Mr Baird said.
“Because it’s clear: there’s additional care workers. There’s additional nurses. There’s additional funds towards food, which is an incredibly important part of the day-to-day living of elderly Australians in our care.”
Meanwhile, former Labor treasurer Wayne Swan was on Nine’s Today show.
In regards to the Coalition’s early criticisms of Labor’s aged care plan (Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has questioned how it will be paid for), Mr Swan said his party won’t be lectured to by one of the highest-taxing governments in history.
%20(2)%20(1).jpg "Global Lithium boardroom brawl continues")
Discussion about this post