This is so upsetting. The Government, helped by One Nation, has blocked a bill that was seeking transparency and accountability for the billions of dollars in taxpayer-funding received by nursing home operators.
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The Amendment would have "made aged care operators reveal their income sources and disclose how much of it they spend on direct resident care, including costs of staffing and training, medical products and continence aids." (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation).
Annie Butler from ANMF had this to say, and I'm in complete agreement:
“Privately-operated aged care providers receive between 70-80% of their funding from the Australian taxpayer, but with no current laws in place, they aren’t obliged to disclose how this money is spent and whether in fact, it’s being used for the care of elderly residents. Providers are currently free to spend public funds however they choose.
"It is extremely disappointing that the Government and One Nation have rejected this great start towards improving transparency and accountability in the aged care sector."
When will this end? I'm overcome with anger and sadness - another year has come to a close with the Government bungling aged care. Christmas is the hardest time of year for our treasured elders in aged care.
Can you help me send a message to our beloved elderly folks in aged care by making some noise by sharing this petition?
Let's show them we're not forgetting about them, even as the Government does all it can to prevent us from exposing what is happening in these facilities.