Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator McLachlan for his question. While we may be faced with responding to a worldwide pandemic, Australia is leading the way in preparedness, including in planning for aged care. The Department of Health's website carries a number of fact sheets on the novel coronavirus named COVID-19 that I would like to table in the chamber today. I'd also like to table a copy of a letter that's been sent to providers by the Chief Medical Officer. COVID-19, as with the influenza virus and other respiratory viruses, particularly affects the elderly. The COVID-19 Plan, agreed to by all governments, is an outline of the measures being undertaken—and now planned—should the risk increase. Under the COVID-19 Plan, Australian governments work to promote the safety and security of people in aged-care settings through infection-control guidelines and safety and quality standards. State and territory governments will establish public health systems that promote the safety and security of people in aged-care settings and support outbreak investigation and management in residential aged-care facilities.

To support the aged-care sector, we will be shortly hosting briefings and forums to inform the aged-care sector about COVID-19 and assist its preparedness and for the possibility of cases. The COVID-19 Plan will consider what is needed to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities and address the needs of special groups, such as the aged-care sector. Under the COVID-19 Plan, the Australian government works to promote the safety and security of people in aged-care settings through infection-control guidelines and safety and quality standards. We continue to work in consultation with state and territory governments and the community.