The Morrison Government’s response to the Aged Care Royal Commission recommendations on COVID-19 will not provide the staffing levels, training, or transparency needed to end the crisis in aged care, according to unions involved in the aged care sector.  

As deaths began to pile up through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morrison Government first refused to take responsibility for the aged care system during the pandemic, and has since been slow to act despite clear demands from workers and the Royal Commission. 

Previous government announcements have called for improved infection control measures, aged care workers report that in many facilities infection control measures urgently recommended by the Royal Commission still aren’t in place. 

The most recent announcements have set out more funding for the sector. However, this has not been tied to accountability or safe staffing, much to the chagrin of aged care workers and their unions.  

Australian Unions Federal President, Michele O’Neil has called on the Government to do more to address the ongoing aged care crisis. 

“This Government needs to take responsibility for the years of understaffing and low wages in aged care. There have been 685 preventable deaths caused by COVID-19. 

“In the midst of a crisis in aged care which has been exacerbated by a pandemic, aged care workers need more funding. We need minimum staffing levels with a mandated mix of skills on every shift in every workplace.” 

Aged care nurses along with Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and Australian Unions officials met with Federal Parliamentarians in Canberra this week to discuss a solution to the crisis in the sector.

Unions across the country continue to demand action in aged care. Show your support here.