The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Association (ANMF) has two objectives when it comes to aged care. They want registered nurses on every shift in aged care facilities and they want regulated staffing ratios.
To flex their muscles they have targeted the six major for-profit aged care operators, Bupa, Regis, Allity, Estia, Opal and Japara. The ANMF commissioned a report titled:
TAX AVOIDANCE BY FOR-PROFIT AGED CARE COMPANIES: PROFIT SHIFTING ON PUBLIC FUNDS Proposals for Transparency on Government Spending
The report analyses the government funding each of the operators receives their tax structures and tax they have paid. It unashamedly links the fact they receive government money, make a profit and then avoid tax.
The underlying message is they are bloodsucking big business and should not be supported by the government.
One week after the report was released the Labor arm of the Federal government announced a Senate enquiry into this government money grab and tax minimisation by these operators.
A great example of the new world of advocacy and the damage it can generate (and cost) if you are not prepared.
Footnote: as we explained in this week’s The SOURCE, a significant number of not-for-profit aged care facilities generate the same profit/surplus as the big six private operators. That they are not as easy a target.
Chris
