4 years ago
GOVERNMENT MUST PROTECT OLDER AUSTRALIANS IN AGED CARE
Julie Collins MP
The Morrison Government must do more to protect older Australians across the country and ensure those residing in residential aged care facilities are safe.
Labor is deeply concerned about allegations regarding treatment of residents and staff at Earle Haven Aged Care, which closed suddenly late last week.
It is particularly concerning a resident impacted by the sudden closure of the facility is now in a critical condition and our thoughts are with the family of the resident.
The Morrison Government must take steps to prevent this happening again.
It must also ensure staff impacted by the closure of the facility have full access to any pay, superannuation and leave entitlements they are owed.
If any laws have been broken in the sudden closure of Earle Haven Aged Care, the Morrison Government must ensure those responsible are held to account for jeopardising the safety of older Australians.
There must be a serious examination of whether the current regulations of residential aged care are strong enough to stop this kind of event happening again.
The Government must be transparent about what Government agencies and/or departments knew what and when and be honest about how this occurred.
Labor has repeatedly said the Government’s new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner does not have strong enough powers to protect consumers.
The Government must also examine whether cuts to residential aged care funding have contributed to the closure of Earle Haven Aged Care.
It is distributing that there are reports a number of other aged care facilities in Queensland are at risk of closure due to insufficient federal funding.
The events which took place on the Gold Coast cannot be allowed to happen again and the Morrison Government must do everything it can to protect older Australians in aged care.
Labor is deeply concerned about allegations regarding treatment of residents and staff at Earle Haven Aged Care, which closed suddenly late last week.
It is particularly concerning a resident impacted by the sudden closure of the facility is now in a critical condition and our thoughts are with the family of the resident.
The Morrison Government must take steps to prevent this happening again.
It must also ensure staff impacted by the closure of the facility have full access to any pay, superannuation and leave entitlements they are owed.
If any laws have been broken in the sudden closure of Earle Haven Aged Care, the Morrison Government must ensure those responsible are held to account for jeopardising the safety of older Australians.
There must be a serious examination of whether the current regulations of residential aged care are strong enough to stop this kind of event happening again.
The Government must be transparent about what Government agencies and/or departments knew what and when and be honest about how this occurred.
Labor has repeatedly said the Government’s new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner does not have strong enough powers to protect consumers.
The Government must also examine whether cuts to residential aged care funding have contributed to the closure of Earle Haven Aged Care.
It is distributing that there are reports a number of other aged care facilities in Queensland are at risk of closure due to insufficient federal funding.
The events which took place on the Gold Coast cannot be allowed to happen again and the Morrison Government must do everything it can to protect older Australians in aged care.