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Two of the state’s largest public sector unions have today called on the Premier to be honest with Tasmanians about the impact the budget will have on services instead of continuing the lie that services won’t be impacted.
“Last year the government tried to tell Tasmanians they would continue to enjoy quality public services despite Agency budgets being cut by $177M, “said HACSU Assistant Secretary Tim Jacobson.
“In reality we have seen a health system plunged in crisis, the mentally ill falling through the cracks, a child protection system that is failing our most vulnerable children, a public housing system that can’t find homes for the most needy and a quarantine border that risks significant failure,” said Mr. Jacobson.
“It’s not good enough for the Premier to hide away until budget day and then say she has no choice other than to further cut vital services. She should be out in the community today talking honestly about the impact budget cuts are having on services and seeking ways to minimise those impacts,” said Mr. Jacobson.
Even before any further cuts are announced in the 2012/13 Budget, Agencies will need to make a further $46M in savings on top of the $177M in 2011/12. In addition the Department of Health and Human Services will need to make up the $25M shortfall in savings from the current financial year.
“Tasmanians had better prepare themselves for the unthinkable,” said CPSU General Secretary Tom Lynch.
“If you need urgent medical help there will be no guarantee an ambulance will be available to transport you to hospital or that the emergency department will have the capacity to treat you. If you are a child at risk there is no guarantee child protection staff will be available to help you. If you are a mental health patient experiencing a crisis and are in need of support there is no guarantee help will be available,” said Mr. Lynch.
“In far too many areas services are already failing sectors of the Tasmanian community. It’s time the government acknowledged the effects their decisions have had and were honest with the community about the impact of any further cuts will have,” said Mr. Lynch.
• Mercury: Australia’s worst jobless rate
• ABC Online: Jobless jump sparks recession fears for Tas
• John Lawrence on Tasmanian Times: State of the State: What your mother didn’t tell you, graph by graph
First published: 2012-04-13 10:25 AM
• Monday, April 16: Aged Care Workforce Funding Critical in Upcoming Federal Budget
Senator Lisa Singh spent several hours today ‘walking in the shoes’ of an Aged Care Worker by working a ‘Buddy’ Shift with Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) Aged Care members rostered on shift at St Ann’s Old Beach Aged Care facility to get firsthand experience of the realities of working in Aged Care.
HACSU Campaign Coordinator Megan Lewis said “Aged Care employers and unions are united in calling on the Federal Government to make aged care reform a priority in the upcoming Federal Budget and give our aged care workers the recognition they deserve.”
St Ann’s CEO Susan Parr said “It is critical that politicians appreciate the realities of working in aged care with high workloads and low wages due to underfunding. Staff turnover now runs from 25 per cent to 45 per cent annually, how will we possibly attract the predicted 500,000 more workers we’ll need by 2050 if we can’t even keep the ones we have now?”
Megan Lewis said “Pay rates in aged care are a national disgrace that must be rectified in the coming Federal Budget. It is critical that politicians such as Senator Singh put pressure on the Treasurer Wayne Swan to allocate funds in the coming Federal Budget adequate to raise wages at least to $26 an hour. The funds have to be designated for fair pay increases so they can’t be absorbed into other parts of the system.”
“All Australians deserve the right to age well. They deserve the quality, dignity and choice which the current system can’t deliver. The Australians Deserve to Age Well Blueprint for Reform outlines a way for Government to responsibly prepare for our future starting in 2012 – before the situation gets any worse.” Susan Parr said.
Megan Lewis said “We all know we have an ageing population. We all know that problems with the current system. They are not going away, they are only going to get worse unless action is taken now. Reform is not a choice– it has to be done and started now or we will all pay the price.”
“The Aged Care sector is facing a huge crisis. Staff turnover rates are at critical levels because people simply cannot live on these wages. High quality care depends on staff who are well trained, well resourced and well paid. This is not only important for staff but also for residents who rely so much on familiar faces.” Susan Parr said.
“By offering aged care workers fair and competitive wages, it would enable us to cut wasted resources on staff turnover and build a workforce able to meet the increasing challenges of providing high quality care and support to older people.”
Aged care providers, unions, consumer groups and professionals under the banner National Aged Care Alliance are campaigning for greatly improved funding and reform for aged care. www.agewellcampaign.com.au
