Last week it was Lamborghini-owning aged care operators in the media, thanks to union attention. This week it is ‘profitable’ Not For Profits.
Jason Ward, Principal Analyst at the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CITAR), has analysed the available results for the largest Not For Profit aged care operators. His report was taken up by The Age newspaper here.
They quoted Ward’s report:
"Four out of five of the largest non-profit residential aged care operators claimed losses in 2019."
"Each produced at least $26 million in net cash flow from operations ... largely from residential aged care".
The article quotes Mr Ward as saying the accounts showed large operators were "hiding behind" aggregate industry figures.
"These operators, which dominate peak bodies and influence government policy and regulation, use overall industry figures to demand more funding which they are better positioned to capture."
He also appeared on the ABC’s 7.30 Report on Thursday night, arguing that aged care operators receive government funding with no accountability.
Who is Jason Ward and CICTAR? He is currently an Adjunct Senior Researcher at the University of Tasmania (Institute for the Study of Social Change) and the Principal Analyst at CITAR, which “was formed by a group of unions and civil society organisations that believe workers and the community need more and better information about the tax arrangements of multinational corporations”.
Mr Ward previously held numerous union movement positions.
The momentum created by the unions to achieve mandated staff ratios in aged care, particularly with registered nurses, is clearly being successful. Commissioner Lynelle Briggs has been visibly supportive of the concept.
This frontal attack on the major Not For Profits as a group is a first, and one we expect they will not welcome.
