Thank you to all aged care workers

07 September 2022

"I say thank you to all aged-care workers for your dedication and tireless hard work providing the best care you can to some of the most vulnerable in Australia."

Address to the House of Representatives, Statements by Members, Aged Care

Wednesday 7 September 2022

Today is Aged Care Employee Day, where we celebrate the essential work performed by all aged-care workers. We also thank those critical unions, the Health Services Union, the United Workers Union and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, whose members across the country work so tirelessly for the sector.

This year, the theme is 'Make it Real' in light of aged-care workers eagerly awaiting the outcome of their wage increase claim to the Fair Work Commission. Clearly, there needs to be change to better reflect the value of their work.

The COVID-19 pandemic underlined this fact, bringing to light their extraordinary work under exacerbating pressure to care for our older Australians. I've experienced that work firsthand, not just as a local member but as a family member with parents in the care of workers who treated them with dignity and compassion. The complexity of their work has also increased significantly due to an ageing population and increasingly difficult conditions with a diminishing workforce.

Last month, the aged-care unions made applications to the Fair Work Commission for a wage increase, and the government also made a submission unequivocally supporting a wage increase. We're alongside you in the fight for a better future for aged-care workers and residents.

So today I say thank you to all aged-care workers for your dedication and tireless hard work providing the best care you can to some of the most vulnerable in Australia.