Union left in the dark on radical change to home care funding

UNION LEFT IN THE DARK ON RADICAL CHANGE TO HOME CARE FUNDING

ASU Branch Secretary Brian Parkinson has slammed the Federal Government’s plan to shift funding arrangements in home and community care services (HACC), fearing a negative outcome for employees in the sector and the elderly they care for across the state.

Leaders at a state level will be requested to agree on a federally-funded plan for all HACC and disability services. Mr Parkinson has urged the Federal Government and the appropriate Ministers not to make a decision to alter the funding arrangements at this COAG meeting.

“The Federal Government hasn’t had any discussions with the union and other stakeholders on these plans. Many home carers are employed through a council, a model that should be used across Australia. I believe that our members provide an outstanding service and their clients are extremely comfortable with the job they provide,” said Parkinson.

The proposed date for a federally-funded takeover will be July 2009, and no guarantee has been given that additional funding that is currently provided by State Government and Local Government will be matched if a change is made. That can only mean a decline in the quality of care offered and a reduction to the pay offered to those who work in the sector.

“If Local Government members don’t provide the service, there is a $47 to $64 per week reduction in salary to those in the sector who are not employed through a local authority. Not only will those receiving the care be worse off, but also those who are providing the service,” added Brian.

The Victorian Government has projected that by 2021, Victoria will have a 54 per cent increase in the number of people aged between 70-84 (about 204,000 people), highlighting the importance of maintaining the current service. More than half of Victorians aged 75 or over who live at home receive the HACC service, with 40 per cent living alone.

“I believe that if the State and Federal Ministers agree to this proposal, Victoria will be the loser in what was a tri-part arrangement between Federal, State and Local Governments. The current funding could reduce by $160 million per annum, with over 3000 local government employees seriously affected by this funding shift.”

“Hopefully the Federal Government will consult with unions before any drastic decisions are made,” said ASU’s Branch Secretary.