Santo Santoro (Queensland, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I will tell Senator McLucas what I have done. During the last week, since these allegations became known, I have been speaking to the relatives of the people who have been abused, I have been speaking to some of the people who have been abused, I have been speaking to their carers, I have been speaking to the professionals and I have been seeking advice from my department and from the complaints resolution scheme. Last night, I had the opportunity to have a long discussion with Professor Warren Hogan about his perspective on these issues, and I can assure you that Professor Hogan and the other experts I have been talking to have opinions. This morning, I received a delegation from one of the peak organisations within the aged care industry, and they presented me with their thoughts as to what should be happening in relation to mandatory reporting and police checks.

I will continue to consult the people who are most affected, the people who care for them and the people who can give me advice. Meanwhile, Senator McLucas and the Labor Party can defame the industry and besmirch the reputation of providers. During the next three weeks, I will be addressing at least six of the peak organisations, and I will be quoting to them precisely what Senator McLucas and the Labor Party have been saying about the industry, about carers and about the providers, who, as I have said here so often, regard their duty of care towards vulnerable Australians in their care as sacrosanct and who perform a wonderful job on behalf of the vast majority of people in their care.