Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Aged Care, Disabilities and Carers) Share this | Hansard source

My question is directed to Senator Santoro, the Minister for Ageing. Does the minister recall being asked on 21 June about a couple who were jailed for defrauding the Commonwealth as nursing home operators in 1999? Didn’t this couple continue to remain owners of those homes, despite being jailed, and receive over $90 million in public subsidies after their convictions? Didn’t the minister undertake to provide additional information on how the government monitors the ownership and control of approved aged care providers? Why has the minister taken four months—and counting—to report back to the Senate like he promised to do in June? Can the minister also explain how it is possible for convicted fraudsters to continue to own nursing homes and receive over $90 million of public money in subsidies?