Aged care letter brings down PM

Kevin Rudd steps down the day after receiving an open letter from aged care industry leaders.

By Gerry Hatrick
Satirist in residence

After years of languishing in obscurity as the poor cousin of the health sector, the aged care industry has finally gained some political traction.

Sources in Canberra are suggesting that the industry’s lobbying efforts played a significant role in the leadership spill that claimed the prime minister’s scalp.

Kevin Rudd’s decision to stand down comes just a day after aged care industry leaders penned an open letter to the prime minister, urging him to address the sector’s funding crisis.

Published in national and major metropolitan papers, the Aged Care Industry Council’s (ACIC) letter delivered a stern ultimatum that proved too much for the embattled leader.

“Prime Minister you must act to bridge the gap in funding immediately by restoring the 1.75 per cent supplement for residential care and extending it to community care effective from July 1,” the letter said.

“This will ensure older people have the care they need now and stave off the cut backs in services which will otherwise be inevitable.”

A senior staffer, completing his third week of work experience in Mr Rudd’s office, said the letter sent shockwaves through Parliament House.

“The alarm bells started ringing as soon as we saw it,” the staffer said. “We knew we were in trouble.

“1.7 per cent was never enough and after the fallout from the emissions trading scheme and the mining tax, it was the final nail in the coffin.

“I think it will teach everyone in Canberra that you just can’t ignore aged care anymore. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Minister for Ageing is elevated to a cabinet position after today’s events. This is serious stuff.”

Industry leaders say the impact of the letter surprised them initially but they are pleased that the message is beginning to be heard.

“The aged care industry is asking whether the letter and the PM’s resignation this morning are connected,” said the CEO of Aged Care Association Australia, Rod Young.

“And I think that’s a reasonable conclusion to draw in light of the evidence available.”

Click here for a more serious article about the ACIC open letter.

Click here to read the full text of the ACIC open letter.

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