Greens win NSW Upper House support to keep Carramar Nursing Home in public hands

Ms Rhiannon moved the motion following a recent meeting with the Carramar Carers' Group. Over 30 staff, residents and supporters travelled from Leeton to NSW Parliament today to hear the debate.

"The Greens won support today for a motion calling on the NSW

Government to keep the Carramar Nursing Home in public hands," said Ms Rhiannon.

(see motion below)

"The Greens won the vote with the support of the major parties.

"The passing of this motion sends a strong clear message to the NSW government to keep Carramar Nursing Home in public hands.

"I am pleased the NSW Upper House has supported this growing community campaign backed by the Leeton Shire Council and the Carramar Carers' Group.

"The $750,000 raised by the Leeton community is testament to its commitment to keeping Carramar Nursing Home in public hands.

"If the plan is implemented it will have a negative effect on residents and jeopardise the future of Leeton Hospital.

"It is an important win for the staff, patients' relatives and supporters of the Carramar Nursing Home who are fighting to retain it as a Department of Health facility.

"Staff cuts would have been inevitable if the beds had been sold, as cost cutting is the only way the owners would make such a venture a going concern.

"This win for Carramar Nursing Home follows a similar victory last year which halted an attempted sell off of the Wallsend Aged Care Facility in the Hunter Valley.

"It is clear that communities in NSW are not prepared to stand by and let the Labor Government sell off public health facilities," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: Lee Rhiannon - 0427 861 568

Read the full debate on the NSW Parliamentary website.