Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move the following motion:

That the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Australian Government funds and regulates residential aged care;

(b) the Australian Government has not produced a COVID-19 plan for aged care;

(c) more than 400 aged care residents have died from COVID-19; and

(d) the aged care Royal Commission has said that if the Australian Government had acted upon previous reviews of aged care, the suffering of many people could have been avoided; and

(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to:

(a) produce a COVID-19 plan for aged care that delivers:

  (i) minimum staffing levels;

  (ii) reduced home care waiting lists;

  (iii) more transparency;

  (iv) public reporting;

  (v) adequate PPE;

  (vi) staff training;

  (vii) a better surge workforce strategy; and

  (viii) additional funding for the aged care Royal Commission; and

(b) sack Senator Colbeck from the aged care portfolio.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion immediately:

That the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Australian Government funds and regulates residential aged care;

(b) the Australian Government has not produced a COVID-19 plan for aged care;

(c) more than 400 aged care residents have died from COVID-19; and

(d) the aged care Royal Commission has said that if the Australian Government had acted upon previous reviews of aged care, the suffering of many people could have been avoided; and

(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to:

(a) produce a COVID-19 plan for aged care that delivers:

  (i) minimum staffing levels;

  (ii) reduced home care waiting lists;

  (iii) more transparency;

  (iv) public reporting;

  (v) adequate PPE;

  (vi) staff training;

  (vii) a better surge workforce strategy; and

  (viii) additional funding for the aged care Royal Commission; and

(b) sack Senator Colbeck from the aged care portfolio.

When Senator Colbeck walked from the Senate chamber, he should have walked to his desk and packed it up and left.

Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will take his seat. The minister has the call.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the Leader of the Opposition be no further heard.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the motion seconded?

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Seconded. This Prime Minister and his hapless minister for aged care need to accept responsibility—

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How many people have to die before you can have a debate on aged care in—

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the question be now put.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the question be now put.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition be disagreed to.