Aged Care – Change Proposal

Monday 29 June 2026

ANMF Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said the ANMF sought TIC assistance and attended an urgent conciliation on Monday 22 June, seeking a change proposal and meaningful consultation with all affected members and stakeholders prior to implementation of such a significant change.

“The Tasmanian Government has effectively removed a critical service from the Tasmanian community that allows clinical nurse consultants across the State to provide comprehensive palliative care services to dying Tasmanians,” Ms Shepherd said.

“Yet the Government hasn’t even had the decency to consult with nurses about this and actually have expected them to inform clients and their families of this change.”

Ms Shepherd said despite the Department committing to a change proposal within 48 hours outlining the change to the Statewide CPCiAC service, the ANMF received it late and only covering stakeholders in the North of the State.

“This change proposal did not outline a timeframe in which the ANMF could consult affected members and stakeholders, nor a commitment to maintain the status quo while consultation occurred.”

“This was despite committing to providing advice on this in the TIC on Monday 22 June.”

Ms Shepherd said the loss of this service cannot be overstated.

“It will have impacts on existing Statewide specialist palliative care services.”

“In fact, the Department’s own change proposal outlines this – that existing staff in SPCS will be required to absorb these additional referrals.”

“However, the reality is that this will not be possible and the most vulnerable dying Tasmanians will likely miss out.”

Ms Shepherd said the Tasmanian Government can blame the Federal Government all it likes.

“However, the Government has had eight years to build a more robust Palliative Care Service over that time to ensure that when the Federal assistance ran out that they could ensure that all dying Tasmanians could access comprehensive palliative care services, irrespective of where they choose to reside.

“The fact that the Tasmanian Government has used some of the community’s most vulnerable to generate a few hundred thousand in cost savings shows that the Tasmanian Government doesn’t care about all Tasmanians, especially the most elderly, vulnerable and dying.”

Ms Shepherd said the ANMF will continue to advocate for members in this service and on behalf of vulnerable Tasmanians, many of whom do not have a voice.

“The ANMF intends to seek further assistance of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission if a Statewide change proposal is not received with a reasonable consultation period.

“If required, an order will be sought to maintain the status quo during the consultation period.”