Unions have slammed new pay rates for care and support workers they say will see a "measly 3 per cent" increase based on legislation rushed through Parliament by Labour.
The Government also came under fire from both sides of the House for "rushing" through the legislation under urgency on Wednesday, when it had nearly five years to address.
Ultimately, the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Amendment Bill passed last night with the support of all parties bar the Greens, who criticised the Government for "rushing through legislation at the last minute, silencing caregiver and community voices, just to increase pay by a paltry 65 cents to 79 cents an hour".
The National-led government passed the original Care and Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlement Act in 2017, after a heroic battle by Kristine Bartlett.
Over five years it delivered $2 billion in wage rises to care workers in residential aged care facilities, as well as those who care for frail, elderly, disabled and injured people in their own homes.
The pay increases ranged from 15-50 per cent. But critically the legislation was to expire on July 1, and despite multiple warnings and union efforts there had been no agreements reached about the path beyond.
Health Minister Andrew Little said the new legislation preserved existing terms and conditions, provided an interim pay increase and ended the "discriminatory situation that prevented them from taking a pay-equity claim".
"The...
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