Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources) Share this | Hansard source

The government thanks Senator Siewert for her proposed amendments to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Bill, but the government doesn't support the proposed amendments to clause 5 and clause 59. The proposed amendment to clause 5, to include a reference to human rights, is not supported as the rights of aged-care consumers are matters dealt with under the Aged Care Act. As Senator Polley has just indicated, this bill sets up the regulatory and administrative arrangements to give effect to the rights and responsibilities under the Aged Care Act but not to create or give rights. The proposed amendment to clause 59, to include a reference to the number of staff and skill mix of staff providing direct care to care recipients, is not supported for the reasons outlined earlier.