‘Really concerning news’: Labor, union hit out over Geelong council’s plan to exit aged care

Hundreds of jobs are on the chopping block as Geelong council prepares to cease providing in-home aged care services, a move unions and local MPs say will impact thousands of vulnerable clients.

City Hall boss Ali Wastie says an independent review has recommended Geelong council get out of aged care. Picture: David Crosling.

A secret meeting will decide whether Geelong council continues to provide aged care after 300 workers were told on Wednesday that their jobs are in jeopardy because of City Hall’s plan to exit a service that helps thousands of vulnerable residents across the region.

The mostly female workforce was informed following a councillor briefing on Tuesday evening regarding a report from officers that recommended City Hall cease providing in-home personal and home care services to approximately 3000 mostly elderly clients.

The recommendation stems from an independent review that came after the federal government introduced reforms following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The review found specialist aged care providers were best placed to fill the void – a point emphasised by council chief executive Ali Wastie.

A meeting will be held next Thursday where councillors will vote on the matter.

The meeting will be held behind closed doors because council believes the debate could prejudice its position in commercial negotiations.

Other sources said the meeting was being held “in camera” over fears of public unrest, similar to what occurred during the recent Australia Day debates.

Labor MPs across the region are furious at the recommendation, which comes during a hotly contested federal election campaign.

Corangamite MP Libby Coker labelled it “callous” and accused council of “turning its back” on older residents, while Corio MP Richard Marles said it was “really concerning news”.

The council has moved now because some changes would need to come into effect by July 1.

The public will be shut-out of a Geelong council meeting next week where aged care services will be debated. Picture: Mike Dugdale.

The region’s four state Labor MPs – Christine Couzens, Ella George, Alison Marchant and Gayle Tierney – co-signed a letter to highlight their “deep concern”.

“We believe the proposed ceasing of aged care support would be a complete abrogation of Geelong council’s responsibility to provide for the health, welfare and safety of elderly and vulnerable ratepayers,” it said.

“This proposal would see up to 300 job losses of hard working, trusted and committed staff … at a time of cost-of-living stress, this would be devastating to many families in Geelong.”

Should council cease the service, it would be on the hook for more than $10m in redundancy payments, one source said.

The workers are represented by the Australian Services Union, which has come out swinging.

Victorian secretary Tash Wark said the decision “blindsided” people who relied on the service and was “cruel and financially reckless” given council received $18m in federal funding last financial year to run the program.

Tash Wark is deputy secretary of the Australian Services Union’s Victorian and Tasmanian branch. Picture: Supplied.

The union, which has written to all councillors, described the $1.1m aged care loss council recorded in 2023/24 as “modest”.

“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,” Ms Wark said.

Ms Wastie said specialised aged care providers would provide the best standard of care 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,” she said.

City Hall has already sounded out aged care providers operating in the region as part of the transition, if required.

Originally published as ‘Really concerning news’: Labor, union hit out over Geelong council’s plan to exit aged care