The Albanese Government didn’t nominate a price, but in its submission to the Fair Work Commission it’s promised to foot the bill for a potential pay rise for about 200,000 aged care workers. Following up on an election promise to back higher wages for the sector, the government’s submission says rates should be “significantly higher”. How much higher? Well, the unions are asking for a 25% bump, saying aged care workers have been consistently undervalued. The government backs that argument saying the work they do – “broadly describable as social and emotional and interpersonal skills” – has not been recognised in previous wage deals. Aged care employers say thumbs up to a government-funded pay rise, but they aren’t onboard with one that high. As for Coalition leader Peter Dutton, he supports a pay rise for workers – how much is a matter for the Commission.