Jo Goodhew MP
National Party Associate Health Spokeswoman

2 May 2006

Aged-care sector should be sceptical

Workers in the aged-care sector should be sceptical about Health Minister Pete Hodgson's promise to increase investment in aged care in the upcoming Budget, says National Party Associate Health spokeswoman Jo Goodhew.

“The Government has a poor history of delivering increases to the abysmally paid workers in this sector,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Each week, people employed in the sector, or representatives from rest homes, ask when they will feel the benefits of the Budget 2005 increases. Why would more promises offer any help to this sector?

“The excuses we keep hearing are that 'mechanisms' are not in place, or paperwork is not complete, but these workers are running out of patience.

“Residential-care providers and organisations that provide home-based support services are finding it difficult to retain and recruit staff. More empty promises will do nothing to change that.

“It's time the tired and arrogant Labour Government showed true compassion for the elderly and the wonderful people who look after them.

“People working in the aged-care sector have, for too long now, worked for the love of their job and respect for the people they care for. Their goodwill is close to exhaustion and they deserve to get what they were promised,” says Mrs Goodhew.

ENDS

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