Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that the current hourly rate of full-time pay for an adult aged care worker ranges from $20 (level 1) to $25 (level 7), which does little to recognise the dedication, compassion and caring they provide to our older, often vulnerable, Australians;

(b) acknowledges that this low rate of remuneration in an industry which demands a high level of care as well as health management skills leads to the high turnover of staffing in aged care facilities; and

(c) calls on the Federal Government to immediately act to increase pay rates in the aged care sector to better reflect the important work undertaken.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government acknowledges the strong and dedicated workforce supporting senior Australians with in-home care and also residential aged care. Aged-care providers are responsible, together with their staff, to negotiate wages and conditions under enterprise-bargaining legislative provisions, as overseen by the Fair Work Commission.

The Fair Work Commission determines award rates for personal care workers under the Aged Care Award 2010; the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010; and, for nurses, under the Nurses Award 2010. Wage variations exist across employers, providers and jurisdictions. It should also be noted that, after each review of the minimum wage rates in Australia under this government, those rates have increased and that Australia now has the highest minimum wage in the world.

Question agreed to.