A Labor government will push for, and pay for, a wage increase for aged care workers as part of a $2.5 billion-plus promise to lift the standards of care
Anthony Albanese has started his push for election with a pledge to fix the crisis-ridden aged care sector, saying Labor will advocate and fund a pay increase for workers and spend another $2.5 billion to lift care standards.on the last day of Parliament before Scott Morrison calls an election, the Labor leader sought to draw a distinction with the government by presenting what he said was a longer-term vision on structural problems in the economy and society exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unlike this Prime Minister who won’t take any responsibility, a Labor government won’t muck around,” Mr Albanese said. Opposition aged care spokeswoman Clare O’Neil stressed that even if the Coalition retained government and a pay rise was awarded by the commission, the government would still have to pay through increased subsidies to providers.There was no cost attached to the pay promise given no decision had been made, but Mr Albanese pledged another $2.5 billion towards the other four parts of his plan.
The Morrison government has not advocated for a pay rise for workers through the commission. In January, as the sector was being stretched by the omicron wave, Scott MorrisonLabor decried this as inadequate.
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