Aged-Care Workers

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:54): Supplementary: the royal commission was, of course, used as an example where those workers are being exploited—might be a word we could use even—but we need to actually look at the outcomes of this outsourcing and see what we can do to assist these workers.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:54): The member raises a very good point. There are quite considerable workforce issues within the aged-care sector. This is predominantly a sector that is presided over by the federal government, but of course there are many South Australians who are employed in the aged-care sector.

There are issues to do with training, which we want to interface with. There are also issues just to do with the general supply of people with the relevant qualifications. It is a complex area. It is an area where we have a group working on this issue. I know that the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, the Hon. Stephen Wade, has set up a group that is helping him look at some of the issues affecting workforce.

I know that there are concerns regarding outsourcing, but very often the operators tell us that this is because they are failing to actually be able to recruit people into the sector. So there are complex issues associated with this. This is on our radar. This is something that we are addressing, because we would like to create sustainable, long-term, well-paid positions in South Australia, and we are looking forward to the final report from the royal commission. As the Attorney-General has indicated to the house, we have participated in this royal commission and we look forward to seeing the final results.