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

The royal commission has been established with its terms of reference and has—appropriately, I think—indicated that it will be looking into the circumstances at Newmarch. But I've asked them—not through a particular form of communication but by public statements—to look at the circumstances with respect to COVID-19 and its management in all aged-care facilities across Australia, because I think it's appropriate. It's not appropriate for me, as minister, to provide a specific direction to the royal commission. They are established through the processes that the government's put in place. They are free to undertake inquiries as they see appropriate. I understand that the opposition has written to the royal commission seeking such a special inquiry, and the royal commission, on my understanding, have responded that they will be looking at it but not in a special sense.