Labor assures nurses’ union aged care jobs will go to Aussies

Labor has told the nurses union Australians will be first in line for aged care jobs after comments by Anthony Albanese caused disquiet within the union.

Labor has assured the powerful nurses’ union Australians will be at the front of the queue to bolster the aged-care workforce, after ­Anthony Albanese suggested migrant workers would help deliver around-the-clock care.

The Labor leader’s comments on aged care during his disastrous press conference on Monday caused internal disquiet within the opposition and the union.

Asked how Labor would meet its commitment for a nurse to be on site at all times in aged-care facilities, Mr ­Albanese said the opposition was “prepared to look at ­migration, which has played an important role”.

“We’ll do what is necessary to deliver on this commitment,” he said.

This prompted a rare intervention from New Zealand’s opposition party, which warned that could have a “negative impact” on existing staff shortages in their aged- care homes.

Mr Albanese then doubled down, saying: “Skilled migration is in the mix. New Zealand’s comments confirm that. They confirm that Australia is an attractive destination.”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese suggested migrant workers would help deliver around-the-clock care. Picture: Toby Zerna

Australia Nursing and Midwifery Federation federal secretary Annie Butler. Picture: Rob Leeson

Asked about his comments, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation federal secretary Annie Butler warned any migration program for nurses needed to be “conducted ethically and give full consideration to any unintended consequences for health systems in other countries”.

The Herald Sun understands Labor figures have moved to reassure the union about Mr Albanese’s comments.

Opposition aged-care services spokeswoman Clare O’Neil said on Thursday Labor was confident it could meet its commitment by tapping into nurses who were working part-time and wanted extra hours – as long as the system was improved and their pay ­increased.

Earlier this month, she ­rejected suggestions Labor would have to bring in nurses from overseas, saying the 24/7 staffing commitment could be met with “nurses who are in Australia”.

“Under-employment is ­absolutely rife through aged care. But the biggest thing that we need to do is stop nurses from leaving the sector,” Ms O’Neil said.

Ms Butler said migrant nurses had “successfully contributed” to Australia’s workforce for years, but the union was confident its members would take up jobs in aged care if Labor’s reforms were implemented.

Mr Albanese, questioned on Thursday about his comments, said the nurses’ union was ­“ecstatic about the policy”.