Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senators Keneally, McAllister, Ayres, O'Neill and Sheldon, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes the challenging circumstances confronted by residents, families and staff as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak at Newmarch House;

(b) conveys our deepest sympathies to those families who have lost loved ones during these difficult times;

(c) further notes that:

(i) as at 12 May, 18 residents have sadly passed away since the outbreak,

(ii) Around 70 residents and staff have tested positive to the COVID-19 virus,

(iii) Newmarch House has experienced a series of infection–control failures, and has a second wave of COVID-19 infections at the facility, and

(iv) the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has issued Newmarch House with a number of regulatory actions including a notice requiring agreement;

(d) considers that the residents of Newmarch House, their loved ones and staff deserve answers to why there were a series of infection–control failures, and that all Australians must be assured we have the very best infection control practices in aged care; and

(e) calls on the Morrison Government to work with the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to establish a special investigation into what went wrong at Newmarch House.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government acknowledges that every death from COVID-19 is a tragedy, and the situation at Anglicare's Newmarch House in Sydney is tragic and concerning. We are aware that the aged care royal commission will be considering submissions relating to the impact of COVID-19 across the entire aged-care sector. Doing anything less would not properly consider the sector's preparedness for dealing with COVID-19. It is also worth noting that the royal commission is independent, and we are unable to compel them to consider a special investigation.

Leave granted.