The aged care sector warns that, with today’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) flagging no additional direct investment for residential and home care, the risk of aged care emergencies looms large in 2020. The Government had already announced $537 million in response to the Aged Care Royal Commission, with an additional $87 million announced […]
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Aged care sector in national plea to Federal Government for care certainty
On the eve of the Federal Government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), aged care residents, seniors on home care package wait lists, their families, carers and providers are speaking out in a national plea for immediate action and transitional funding support during the Aged Care Royal Commission. Provider representatives acknowledge the neglect identified in […]
Peak bodies unite in pre-Christmas warning to avoid New Year aged care emergency
Australia’s largest aged care provider representatives have united in a pre-Christmas appeal to the Federal Government, to avoid an aged care emergency in 2020. Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA), Anglicare Australia, Baptist Care Australia, Catholic Health Australia, Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), The Aged Care Guild and UnitingCare Australia have joined together to urge […]
10,000 new home care packages won’t fix the waitlist
UnitingCare Australia joins the many voices that yesterday acknowledged the Government’s $537M injection of funds into aged care – but – the Government must listen to the consistent concerns that are being expressed by consumers and their advocates, providers, unions, the Royal Commission and many others within our community. The messages are clear: Fix the […]
Cashless Debit Card is demeaning and disempowering and should not be expanded
UnitingCare Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) have reiterated their calls for the cashless debit card trial to be scrapped, following the release of the Senate Committee Report on the proposed expansion of the trial. “The cashless debit card is ineffective, expensive and discriminatory,” said Rev. Garry Dronfield, President of the […]
Cool Response to Voice Proposal
The President of the Uniting Church in Australia and the President of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress have expressed reservations about the Federal Government’s plans for what it calls an Indigenous voice to government. Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt says the “voice to government” will ensure that First Peoples are heard at […]
Aged Care Royal Commission Interim Report – fundamental reform and redesign needed now
UnitingCare Australia welcomes the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety handed down this afternoon. UnitingCare Australia’s National Director, Claerwen Little, said today, “We wish to acknowledge the enormous effort and dedication of the late Commissioner Tracey and Commissioner Briggs in producing this Report. We also thank the older Australians, […]
‘Moral’ justification for drug testing a two-edged sword
UnitingCare Australia today expresses its disappointment in the Senate Committee’s recommendation to pass the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019. This is despite the universal opposition of professionals with experience in the field of addiction treatment. In its submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry UnitingCare Australia stated that ‘moral concerns’ may be used […]
Substance abuse is a health problem, not a welfare problem
UnitingCare Australia urges the Government once again to abandon the flawed Drug Testing Bill before Parliament today.
Report highlights urgent need to invest in our children
UnitingCare Australia is today launching its research report, Review of Best Practice in Residential Out of Home Care. The review was prepared to provide information and guidance on best practice in the provision of residential out of home care for those children and young people who need it.