THE National Health Services Union has strongly endorsed an open letter from Aged Care Minister Anika Wells to residential aged care providers, which calls out the sector's lack of accountability.

National Secretary Lloyd Williams praised Minister Wells’ initiative: "This open letter is a crucial step towards addressing the longstanding issues in our aged care system. It's precisely why we've been advocating for a legislated 'workers voice' in the Aged Care Act – a provision that was regrettably removed at the insistence of the Liberal Party."

The Minister’s letter notes that from today, average care funding will be around 58 percent higher than it was in September 2022. A significant part of this increase has been to fund providers to increase their care minutes to an average of 215 minutes per resident per day.

Mr Williams highlighted key concerns raised by the Minister:

1. The disproportionately low compliance rates in metropolitan areas, despite greater workforce constraints in regional, rural, and remote locations.

2. The significantly lower compliance rates among for-profit aged care providers compared to their not-for-profit counterparts.

“Never forget, it was workers who blew the whistle on the appalling operating conditions in aged care that led to residents being fed jelly and frankfurts and having sanitary pads rationed,” Mr Williams said.

“Providers need accountability. We cannot allow profit motives to compromise the quality of care for our elderly citizens."

The Health Services Union is committed to working alongside the government and responsible providers  to improve conditions in the aged care sector.

"We stand ready to support any initiatives that enhance transparency, accountability, and most importantly, the quality of care for our seniors," Mr Williams said.

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THE Trade Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JASFADT) has tabled its report titled, ‘Are we there yet?’: From recovery to resilience – opportunities and challenges for Australia’s tourism sector, for its inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors.

The inquiry explored the issues and opportunities facing both sectors since the reopening of Australia’s borders following the COVID-19 pandemic. An interim report was released in October 2023 focusing on the international education sector, titled ‘Quality and Integrity – the Quest for Sustainable Growth’: Interim Report into International Education’.

Reflecting on the focus on tourism for the inquiry’s final report, the Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill said, "Tourism is one of Australia’s largest exports and is a key way for Australians to share our unique and wonderful cultures, environments and stories. But the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the sector to its limits.

"While we’re starting to see encouraging signs that the sector is recovering, it is clear the recovery has been patchy and that issues remain. This report makes a number of recommendations to strengthen the visitor economy and make it more resilient to future shocks.

The Senator said, "Throughout the inquiry we kept coming back to two key areas with enormous opportunity, if key barriers can be reduced: First Nations tourism and regional and tourism."

The report makes 28 recommendations aimed at strengthening the resilience of the tourism sector, particularly for regional Australia and for First Nations tourism businesses. It also makes various recommendations that would make the visitor economy more inclusive, more accessible, and more sustainable.

Some of the key recommendations include:

• The establishment of a national First Nations tourism body to represent the interests of First Nations businesses and communities in tourism.
• The establishment of a First Nations advisory panel to advise Tourism Australia on the appropriate representation of First Nations in marketing strategies and campaigns.
• The development of a Regional Dispersal Strategy to drive greater domestic and international visitation into more of Australia’s regions.
• That the Australian Government prioritises policies that will achieve more accessible and affordable regional air access.
• Improved role clarity, communication and coordination between local, state and Australian Government tourism organisations.
• For the Minister for Trade and Tourism to issue a new Statement of Expectations for Tourism Australia to provide greater clarity about its role.

During the inquiry, the committee heard from a range of stakeholders including international and regional tourism operators and providers, including First Nations tourism operators, local councils, government agencies, education and tourism peak bodies, international students and student associations, and education providers.

"Over the last two years we held 31 public hearings across Australia, primarily in regional towns. We wanted to hear from the people themselves and see firsthand their tourism offerings and challenges," Senator O’Neill said. "The impact of COVID-19 in the tourism sector and in Australia’s regions was unprecedented, and we heard stories of great adversity.

"But we also heard about innovation and collaboration, a shared ambition to continue to grow the sector, and the opportunities it provides for individuals, communities and Australia."

The report is now available on the JSCFADT website.

Further information is available on the Inquiry webpage.

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