Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. In March 2021, the now Prime Minister said, 'We cannot be satisfied with a situation where older Australians are dying while waiting for their home-care packages.' The minister was sworn in on 13 May this year. Since that date, how many elderly Australians have died waiting for a home-care package?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Social Services is warned. I don't want anyone interjecting while people are asking questions. I think that is crystal clear.

Sam Rae (Hawke, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. It is always saddening to hear of older Australians, whether they are in care or awaiting care, passing away. I extend my deepest condolences to any family who faces that affliction. The decision to briefly defer the Aged Care Act was a difficult one that I made in consultation along with my colleagues. Minister Butler and I announced that brief deferral, and we did it after an extensive consultation. When I first became the minister, I spent many days and weeks speaking to older people across our country, speaking to the workers who care for them and speaking to the providers who provide their care. The overwhelming feedback that was provided was that there needed to be a brief deferral to ensure the continuity and quality of care for older Australians. Some months have passed since then, but perhaps it would be helpful if I were to refresh the parliament's memory about how that was received.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will pause so the Leader of the Opposition can raise her point of order.

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order is on relevance. It was a very tight question. The minister should know the answer to this question. Since the minister was sworn in, how many elderly Australians have died waiting for a home-care package?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister was asked for a fact, but he was also asked about comments made by the Prime Minister a number of years ago. There were elements to the question, but he's going to have to remain very relevant to this question as there was not a lot of other detail provided. He'll have another minute and 50 seconds to provide the answer to the Leader of the Opposition.

Sam Rae (Hawke, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to provide one of the most important quotes from the period when the decision was made:

The decision to the delay the start date for the new aged care reforms is the right decision for older Australians, aged care providers and home care operators.

This is a quote that I think concisely and clearly summarises the decision and its impact on older people and the sector across Australia. It's a quote from the media release that was published by the shadow minister for health and aged care, Senator Ruston.