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

The number of Australians who have passed away as of 8 am this morning in residential aged care is 457, unfortunately. Each one of those deaths is an absolute tragedy, and my condolences go to every family of those who have passed away from COVID-19 to date. For a period of time now, the Australian government has been working with the Victorian government through the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre to reconcile the data that is held in the Victorian systems with respect to infections and also deaths.

As of 12 August this year, by agreement with the Victorian government through the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre, we have been using the Victorian data, understanding that that data would need to be reconciled. I became aware of the difference in the numbers this morning when we were advised from Victoria that they would be announcing that reconciliation. I wasn't aware of what the difference in numbers might be, specifically, until this morning, when I received that advice through from the secretary of my department. My understanding is that the reconciliation process and the recording of COVID-19 deaths in aged care will continue. Victorians are still working on that as they manage the process through their FES system and through their births, deaths and marriages records. We are working closely with them through that to continue that reconciliation process.