24 June 2004

ANF welcomes Senate Inquiry into aged care

The Australian Nursing Federation today welcomed the announcement of the Senate Inquiry into Aged Care, to be reported by 30 September 2004.

'The ANF acknowledges that the Australian Government has implemented some important initiatives in aged care over the last three years, specifically the provision of nursing scholarships and funding for training and education,' ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said. 'The ANF also welcomed the increased funding for aged care in the 2004 Budget.

'However, the ANF is concerned that the additional funding will not improve wages and working conditions for nurses and other care workers in aged care who receive on average 20% less than their colleagues in the public sector.

There are no benchmarks set for staffing levels or staffing skills mix, two vitally important aspects of delivering quality care.

'In the 2004 Budget, Minister for Ageing Julie Bishop announced a $877.8 million conditional incentive payment which she said she 'assumed' would be used to offer competitive wages. There is no mechanism, however, to ensure this will be the outcome.

'If this government is serious about the provision of quality care for older people, care that is provided by appropriate skilled nurses, then a commitment to closing the wages gap, minimum staffing levels and improved working conditions is critical.

'Hopefully, this Inquiry, which will address the "adequacy of current proposals, including those in the 2004 Budget, in overcoming aged care workforce shortages" will investigate the pay and conditions of nurses to promote their recruitment and retention and relieve shortages. The Inquiry also needs to look at how staffing levels should be linked to care outcomes.

'We support the Inquiry if it is going to provide better outcomes for people in aged care and those who look after them.'

The ANF, representing 140,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses in Australia.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Jill Iliffe, Federal Secretary  0419 576 590
Ged Cowin, Assistant Secretary  0417 053 322
Heather Witham, Federal Communications Officer  0417 359 907