Andrew McLachlan (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Can I start my contribution to this debate by thanking the , Minister Colbeck, for his outstanding leadership in this difficult time in Australia and by pushing back on the arguments made by my honourable friend Senator Watt. From the outset of the pandemic, aged care has always been a key focus of this government, and it will remain so. The government fully accepts that it is distressing for families who have their members in aged care, particularly with the consequences of state laws or state directives preventing their loved ones from giving support.

The Australian government has been using rapid antigen tests in aged care since last August, having delivered 9.5 million, and there are further deliveries underway to all facilities. This is in addition to over 1.5 million PCR tests that have been conducted. From the National Medical Stockpile, 42.9 million masks, 15.7 million gowns, 43.7 million gloves, 12.5 million goggles and face shields, and 190,000 bottles of hand sanitiser have been provided to aged-care facilities. The Australian Defence Force is providing strategic logistical support to assist with the increased distributions to the aged-care sector. Supporting the aged-care workforce has always been a priority of this government, with more than 80,000 shifts having been filled by a surge workforce provided by this caring and well-led government, particularly under Minister Colbeck. One hundred per cent of facilities across the country have received a booster clinic. More than 76 per cent of eligible aged-care residents have received a booster, which is above the national booster rate by more than 20 per cent. These are startling statistics which demonstrate, brutally and clearly, the commitment of this government to support those in aged care.

The minister, in his answer, made reference to the $18 billion which the government has committed to the aged-care sector following the royal commission. The government is supplying information to the Fair Work Commission to assist in its deliberations and has not yet been directed to clarify its position in relation to a wage increase. It is not fair to characterise the government as not committed to aged-care workers. The government will provide $210 million to support the aged-care workforce to continue to care for older Australians during the pandemic. A bonus of $800 will be made in two payments of up to $400 each and will be paid to aged-care workers in government subsidised home care.

The government took the courageous decision to instruct that a royal commission be established, and it has committed itself to the findings. The $18.3 billion committed is a once-in-a-generation change. No government before this one has committed any more into aged care. The government will be delivering record investment over the forward estimates. From $13.3 billion in 2012-13, this is such a significant amount and out-matches anything even conceptualised by the Labor government when last on the treasury bench.

The royal commission, as referenced by the minister in his answer, made 148 recommendations. The vast majority have been accepted, and implementation is underway. The government's response includes a five-year implementation plan underpinned by five key pillars: home care, supporting Australians who choose to remain in their home; residential aged-care services and sustainability, improving and simplifying residential aged-care services and access; residential aged-care quality and safety, improving residential aged-care quality and safety; workforce, supporting a better skilled and growing workforce— (Time expired)