Siewert gains Senate support for aged care inquiry

Greens Senator for Western Australia Rachel Siewert has secured senate support to launch an inquiry into Australia’s aged care sector workforce.

Senator Siewert’s motion calls for the government Community Affairs Reference Committee to look into the future of aged care in Australia in a number of areas, including its current composition and challenges and factors impacting aged care workers – such as education, training and skill development.

“It is time to seriously consider who will look after us when we get older,” Senator Siewert says, “As the population ages we will need more aged care workers and to ensure the needs of everyone in our community are met.”

The inquiry will also draw attention to the cultural competency and inclusivity of Australia’s current aged care system, ie. its ability to cater to the specific needs of aging LGBTI, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“We must ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people are not subject to discrimination when they enter aged care and their care needs are addressed,” the Senator continues.

Senator Siewert says the inquiry will also investigate any barriers for the LGBTI community who are working in aged care.

“I urge the queer community to come forward if they have any experience of difficulty in the aged care sector workforce as a result of identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex.”

“This industry and its workers need to be the best they can be as Australia’s population grows older. This sector needs all the support it can get”.

Leigh Hill