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

I had not heard that comment made by the former Prime Minister, but I do not agree with that. I do not agree with that statement. I simply do not agree with it. All of the government's actions demonstrate our desire to ensure that all senior Australians, COVID-positive or not, are treated with respect and get the care that they deserve. There is no way I think anyone in this chamber, on either side, would agree with those comments of former Prime Minister Abbott. I absolutely do not agree and I would condemn the comments, because that's not what I believe and I don't think that's what anyone in the chamber believes. Our desire—all our planning, all our work—is to ensure that all senior Australians get the care that they deserve and they need regardless of the COVID-19 circumstances. So I simply do not agree with the statements of the former Prime Minister.