Unions lobby MPs on workforce reform

A group of aged care workers and union representatives calling for the May Budget to include mandated staffing has failed to secure meetings with government decision-makers during lobbying in Canberra this week.

A group of aged care workers and union representatives calling for the May Budget to include mandated staffing has failed to secure meetings with government decision-makers during lobbying in Canberra this week.

The 30-strong delegation of nurses and personal care workers from the United Workers Union and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation sought meetings over three days with key decision-makers including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, advisors for health and aged care minister Greg Hunt, aged care services minister Richard Colbeck and Deputy PM Michael McCormack.

The group also targeted their Opposition counterparts along with members of the Labor caucus and Greens and crossbench members of parliament.

United Workers Union director Carolyn Smith said the workers only had one meeting with a government MP, a Liberal National Party backbencher.

Carolyn Smith

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get hold of decision-makers within the government. They didn’t agree to meet with workers,” Ms Smith told Australian Ageing Agenda.

She said they met with Ken O’Dowd, the member for Flynn in Queensland, and spoke with a few Labor and crossbench MPs.

“We had aged care workers who work in the sector speaking directly to MPs about what it’s like to work in this sector at the moment, and what they want to see change.

“People were talking about the fact that they don’t have enough time to care. They need time. They want staffing levels too to ensure time to care for elderly Australians,” she said.

Ms Smith said they also spoke to an advisor for Mr Hunt, but were unable to secure a meeting.

The unions will do everything they need to ensure government acts on workforce reforms, she said.

“We’re going to do everything we need to. Do I think one visit to Canberra will fix it all? No, probably not. But we are going to continue to lobby and we are going to continue to talk to the community,” Ms Smith said.

“We do think the royal commission is a moment for change and we hope the government will take that opportunity.

Main image: The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and United Workers Union at Parliament.

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Tags: aged care workforce, anmf, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, carolyn smith, parliament, United Workers Union, workforce,

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