Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians) Share this | Hansard source

With Senator Watt's indulgence, I'll just complete a couple of points I want to make in relation to where I just finished off the previous question. As I said, I want to express sincere appreciation to the staff who stayed—despite what I understand were instructions from their employer to leave the facility—to look after the residents. That needs to be acknowledged. Also, to Queensland Health and emergency services for the work that they did in relocating the residents to other facilities around the region. It took a considerable period of time. It was a difficult operation and it was important that it was conducted properly. I would also like to express my appreciation for the other facilities in the region who took up that capacity. In respect of Senator Watt's specific question, there are over 5,000 places in that particular region of Queensland with an occupancy level of about 88 per cent, so there is still some capacity in the region. (Time expired)