AGED CARE: 13 FEBRUARY 2019

Nats put cost before care

Member for Orange Philip Donato MP today, Wednesday 13 February, addressed the media regarding the commencement of hearings this week at the Royal Commission into Aged Care.

“I’m relieved that hearings are now finally underway at the Royal Commission in Aged Care, which will expose the neglect and delivery of sub-standard care to the frail and vulnerable in our community,” said Mr Donato.

“In my position as the Member for Orange I have heard personally of a neglect case, which caused an elderly person to abscond from the aged care facility. I intervened to address the issue, but there is certain to be scores of horror stories that have previously gone unreported.

“On 4bMay 2017 I introduced the Public Health Amendment (Registered Nurses in Nursing Homes) Bill 2016 to the Legislative Assembly in New South Wales Parliament. That bill, if passed, would have legislated Registered Nurses in nursing homes and aged-care facilities 24/7 to provide around the clock clinical care to our most vulnerable. -

“Following considerable debate on 11 May of that year over this important protection bill by both sides of parliament, the National Liberal Government voted against protecting the aged and frail.

“In doing so the Berejiklian-Barilaro Government contributed to the ongoing neglect and delivery of sub-standard care to those who need care and protection most.

“Government members cited cost as a factor in deciding against bolstering care and prevention of neglect. Their deliberate act in blocking this bill was and completely callous and unconscionable.

“Not a single member of the National Liberal Government crossed the floor to vote on that important bill, and they’re complicit in the continued neglect and sub-standard care.

“I find it curious that in recent weeks Nationals MLC Rick Colless stated about his party and coalition government — ‘…it shows we have that ability to cross the floor on issues which impact our electorates’ — and his Nationals candidate for Orange has spruiked that she wasn’t going to just listen to what the party line always says.

“I will let the voting public be the judge of the Nationals’ comments on crossing floors and not toeing party lines, but since being elected I’ve never seen it happen, ever! If they won’t cross the floor for important issues such as this, they’re not ever likely to.

“Commissioner Richard Tracey is quoted this week as saying ‘the hallmark of a civilised society is how it treats its most vulnerable’ so what is the hallmark of a Government which turns its back on our most vulnerable?”

Based on a media release issued by Mr Donato’s office.