Katie Allen (Higgins, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise in this House to give my heartfelt thanks to those working in aged care in my electorate of Higgins. It hasn't been easy during this pandemic. Families have been distressed that visitation hours were reduced significantly early in the pandemic to keep residents safe. Media scrutiny has been tough. We all braced when a massive community transmission outbreak of COVID occurred in Melbourne. Although no country has been able to prevent aged-care communities from bearing the brunt of COVID deaths, Australia actually has done better than most. Compared to other countries, our fatality rates for those in aged care is one of the lowest in the world at 0.1 per cent. Canada's aged-care sector reports a death rate has is 15 times higher, Ireland and Italy 30 times higher, and unfortunately the UK 53 times higher.

Every death from COVID is a tragedy. But it is because of the hard work and dedication of all aged care staff, the frontline workers, ancillary staff, in Victoria, but I know right across Australia, who continue to work so professionally throughout this pandemic that our most vulnerable are kept safe from coronavirus. To everyone working in aged-care facilities across Higgins at Brimlea Aged Care, Chomley House, BlueCross Darnlee, Samarinda, mecwacare, Rosstown, Spurway, St Michael's, Oaklea Hall, Arcare, Regis Aged Care. Our community is extremely thankful and grateful.