Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Why did the Prime Minister wait until now, six months into the pandemic and after hundreds of aged-care residents have died, to announce the Aged Care Advisory Group?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The announcement that was made was to add to an existing group that has already been established and to expand its role and expand its membership. Consistent expert advice from infection control experts and geriatricians, and a vast array of clinical experience, has been advising the government's plans on the response to aged-care needs as a result of the pandemic. That has been occurring since early this year in the preparation of the plans that I have already outlined to the House today, the refreshing of those plans and the communication of those plans throughout the country, and particularly to aged-care service providers. We have added to an arrangement that was already in place. We have expanded that. We welcome that added facility that we have put in place for those arrangements and they will continue to assist us well as we respond to this pandemic.