By Goya Dmytryshchak
Services for some of the west’s most vulnerable residents may not be privatised after mounting pressure on councils from Labor heavyweights.
State and federal MPs are urging Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong councils not to outsource home care for the elderly and younger people with disabilities given the likelihood of an imminent federal Labor government.
As reported by Star Weekly, both councils began a tender process to sub-contract domestic assistance, personal care and in-home respite due to proposed changes in federal funding.
However, Hobsons Bay council cancelled Tuesday night’s ordinary meeting, at which a decision on the tender was expected to be made, after receiving a joint letter from Labor MPs.
The letter addressed to chief executive Aaron van Egmond, dated February 4, was jointly signed by Williamstown MP Melissa Horne, Footscray MP Katie Hall and Western Metropolitan Region MP Ingrid Stitt.
It urges the council not to outsource the service given an “imminent federal election”, implying that funding arrangements could change if Labor wins government.
“Our constituents are concerned that the contracting out of these services will lead to poorer care outcomes for vulnerable community members,” the letter states.
The letter requests an explanation from the council on why it no longer wants to provide in-home aged care services “given the high level uncertainty in the broader environment, namely the aged care royal commission and imminent federal election”.
Australian Services Union organiser Luke Cherry said an identical letter was sent to Maribyrnong council.
Mr Cherry said federal Opposition Leader and Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten and Gellibrand MP Tim Watts also opposed moves to outsource the service.
“The position is, an incoming federal Labor government has got in the federal platform that they will review the models, that they will investigate ways to keep the services in-council in Victoria, and basically maintain it by councils being providers of direct home care support,” Mr Cherry said.
“There is likely to be a change of federal government who may well maintain all of the funding and, also, we’re at the commencement of a royal commission into aged care.
“While all of that’s going on, and the funding is guaranteed until mid 2020 and is expected to be extended regardless, why on earth would they privatise it now?”
Mr van Egmond said no decision has yet been made by the councillors.
Maribyrnong community services director Clem Gillings declined to comment.
Last night’s scheduled meeting of Hobsons Bay council was deferred to next Tuesday, when both Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong are expected to make a decision on the matter.
