A Gold Coast solicitor is calling for Australia to introduce a coordinated system for screening people who work in the aged care sector, similar to the Working With Children Checks (WWCC) performed nation-wide that vets people wanting to work with children and young people. Christine Smyth, who specialises in laws affecting the elderly, said a recent advertisement in a Gold Coast newsletter highlighted a gap in protection for older Australians. The advertiser, described as a retired registered nurse, offered to mind seniors in clients’ homes on a freelance basis for $12 per hour, plus a one-off payment of $8 for petrol. Ms Smyth said she was sceptical about the advertisement.
