Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Ruston, for the question. Thinking about John and his father, I understand how challenging it is for people who are facing these circumstances and who are, in many ways, facing a very significant change of life. This is a complicated and very longstanding issue, as you will understand, Senator Ruston, in our aged-care system. Those pressures are being felt particularly acutely in some regions.

The Commonwealth has responsibility for the aged-care system, and we are working very closely with the states and territories—who, as you know, have responsibility for the hospital system—to manage the issue. Of course, our view is that every day that an older Australian spends in hospital when they should be in a more appropriate care environment puts a lot of pressure on those families. I'm sure that John, his family and his father are feeling that, but it also puts pressure on the hospital system. This system wasn't fit for purpose for older people when we came to government. That is exactly why, Senator Ruston—