14 September 2015
Alcheringa Residential Care in Swan Hill is $40 000 out of pocket because of the Melbourne Labor Government’s announced policy of two new public holidays.
Alcheringa is a community based charitable organisation that operates a 74 bed facility 30 of which cater for secure dementia.
Mr Walsh said the government’s two new unfunded public holidays are a disaster for the aged care sector.
“Its time that Daniel Andrews explained how he is going to remove the severe cost impact on a sector that cares for some of the most vulnerable in our community “ Mr Walsh said.
“Alcheringa is $40 000 out of pocket with no way of recouping these costs.
“This was an election thought bubble by this city centric government with absolutely no thought given to how it would impact on a range of crucial service providers and industries outside metropolitan Melbourne “ Mr Walsh said.
Chief Executive Officer of Alcheringa Group Mr Jason Binder said the public holiday does not benefit all of their staff evenly (or at all for some) as their work force is heavily part-time.
“To be honest I think it is ridiculous. There are already enough public holidays and our agreement allows for five weeks annual leave “ Mr Binder said.
Aged care providers and their residents in rural Victoria are the big losers from a public holiday that the government proudly boasts will bring a Moomba like atmosphere to the CDB and inner suburbs of Melbourne.
