ASU: Geelong transition "cruel and financially reckless"

On Wednesday, the City of Greater Geelong announced that the council would vote on a recommendation to transition all in-home community care clients to specialist local providers. City of Greater Geelong officers had made the recommendation to the council following an independent review into the aged care reforms.

The reforms mean that Support at Home will replace the Home Care Package Program starting from 1 July 2025, and the Commonwealth Home Support Program, which will transition no earlier than 2027. Independent consultants were engaged by the city to conduct a full review to inform and assist the council in deciding the city’s future involvement in in-home community care services.

In its announcement, the city said it had “already sounded out the aged care providers operating in Greater Geelong to ensure a seamless transition if required”. It also said the city is continuing to provide all in-home community care services as usual, and any changes must be voted on by the council — which is holding its next meeting on 10 April.

Also on Wednesday, Australian Services Union – Victorian and Tasmanian Branch Secretary Tash Wark said people relying on the service were “blindsided” and that it is “both cruel and financially reckless” — noting that the council receives millions in Commonwealth support to run the program.

“Everyone knows the council-run home care service is the best available in our community. Our parents and grandparents rely on these workers to keep them healthy, safe and out of aged care,” Wark said. “Most people want to live independently as long as possible and that’s what this service allows.”

Wark added: “Cutting the service will create safety risks for people who try to keep living at home without the support they need, and will lead to a rush on aged care homes that are already under huge strain.” Wark said the union had pushed for greater funding for aged care in Greater Geelong and were “surprised that the council failed to engage with the federal government in a meaningful way”.

“Now we know why — they have clearly been planning to cut the service all along. This is a lazy decision from a council that simply can’t be bothered with the hard work of aged care, no matter how important it is to the local community,” Wark said. “This council had a secret plan to cut this service for over a year and now we are seeing that plan in action. Councillors have failed to manage the contract with Commonwealth and are exiting because it’s easier than running the service.”

In the city’s announcement, it said that should the council vote to change to a new care model, the city would continue to deliver its Positive Ageing Strategy while supporting current clients to transition to new providers. “Our aim is to ensure our community is provided the best possible service to its ageing population, and this has always been the core priority of our community care service,” City of Greater Geelong Chief Executive Ali Wastie said.

“When considering these reforms, we had to consider very carefully what would be best for our clients,” Wastie said. “Aged Care is complex, and every client has their own bespoke needs, so we wanted to really take the time to get this right.

“We feel that specialised aged care providers who make this their core business will provide the best standard of care going into the future.

“We are committed to guiding our staff and clients through any transition, but cannot pre-empt how Council will respond to our recommendation.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Daisy-Daisy