Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

or GALLAGHER (—) (): I thank Senator Tyrrell for the question, and I agree: it wasn't a scratch. And this has been part of the issue, particularly overnight, even on weekends, with residents of aged care deteriorating to the point that they end up acutely unwell when they are transferred to hospital or if they are able to be transferred there before they decline. That is the aim of the 24/7 nursing requirement. I know the Minister for Aged Care has been working, indeed, even with the minister for immigration on how we deal with some of the significant workforce challenges that are present. Part of it is dealing with some of the legacy issues we've inherited, including fixing some of the other workforce shortages, which we'll be doing through the aged-care wages increase. Any suggestion that the 24/7 registered nurse requirement won't be enforced is false; it will be enforced, and providers are aware of that in their discussions with the Minister for Aged Care. (Time expired)