Rallies will be held today outside the offices of federal politicians to highlight conditions in Australian private aged care facilities.
Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) Secretary Beth Mohle, said nurses, midwives and Queenslanders would call for action at seven locations as part of the QNMU’s Aged Care Day of Action. The rallies will be held between Cairns and Brisbane.
The rallies follow the Royal Commission into Aged Care and Safety handing its findings to Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday. The government is expected to release its interim response to the report early in the week after using the weekend to review.
“The QNMU and all Australians await Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s response to the crisis in Australian private aged care,’’ Ms Mohle said.
“While we wait, elderly Australians continue to suffer as a result of chronic and systemic understaffing in private aged care facilities. All federal politicians should be held to account for their positions on the protection of vulnerable elderly Australians.’’
Ms Mohle will attend the 10am rally outside the office of federal ALP Member of Parliament (MP) Jim Chalmers at Logan Central Plaza on Wembley Road.
A second Brisbane rally will also be held outside the electorate office of LNP federal MP Trevor Evans. Similar rallies will be held state-wide. For details visit https://www.qnmu.org.au/dayofaction
The rallies come at a time when the industry peak bodies ACSA and LASA are waging a campaign to target politicians in marginal seats who have the highest percentage of constituents over the age of 55. One of the seats being targeted is the Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt, whose electorate Flinders, has 50.7 per cent of constituents aged over 55 years.
