Industry launches federal election campaign
A new campaign launched earlier this week by industry peak body Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) is urging politicians to recognise and explore solutions to issues in the aged services sector during the next federal election.
LASA Queensland State Manager Kerri Lanchester at the ‘I Care for Aged Care’ campaign launch. (Source: LASA)
Highlighting key issues impacting on the delivery of quality care and services for older Australians, the “I Care for Aged Care” campaign says politicians must address:
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the funding emergency in residential aged care, which sees an estimated 43 percent of facilities currently operating at a loss, with even greater pressure being experienced by facilities operating in rural and remote locations
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the unacceptable impact on older Australians that sees more than 120,000 older Australians waiting, sometimes for more than year, to receive essential care and services in their own homes
Launched at the LASA Queensland State Conference on the Gold Coast, the campaign calls for funding relief for residential care providers, as well as legislating maximum waiting times for home care packages.
It also calls for investment in workforce growth and development, elevating the responsible minister to the Cabinet, and the creation of a comprehensive national ageing well strategy.
LASA Chief Executive Officer Sean Rooney says aged care is an issue of national importance and making the system better should be a priority for all political parties and candidates.
“This campaign is about ensuring that older Australians can access the care they need, and that this care is adequately funded to reflect the actual costs of delivering high quality care and services, whilst we also attract and train high performing staff,” he says.
“While the Aged Care Royal Commission goes about its important role, we believe that there are things we can be doing to make the aged care system better right now.
“Aged care matters because around 1.3 million older Australians receive some form of care or support.
Mr Rooney says aged care is a major employer, particularly in regional areas, with 366,000 staff employed in the sector, including clinicians, care workers and administrators.
“We are accountable for our performance and do not shy away from our responsibility to deliver safe, quality care, with compassion, always. But we are constrained by the fact that funding has not kept pace with rising costs and the growing needs and expectations of older Australians.
“How we care for older Australians reflects who we are as a nation. Aged care matters just as much as health and education.”
“All Australians should tell their candidates at this election, ‘I Care For Aged Care’.”
Download the campaign booklet and campaign handout.
