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

The minister is not a member of the transition taskforce. The taskforce will be co-chaired by the deputy secretary of ageing and aged care group and an independent representative. The co-chairs will lead the meetings and guide the work. The minister isn't a member of it. Senator Ruston, if you believe it's important that the aged care transition taskforce provides information to the sector, I'm very happy—and I'm sure members of it would be watching this debate—to make sure that the members of the transition taskforce consider that and determine a response. I don't want to tell them what to do, and I don't think the minister wants to tell them what to do, but I think the point you raise is valid. We are undergoing an extraordinary change to aged care. The transition taskforce is being established to troubleshoot, stress test and provide information, and I would imagine that there would be publication of what it's doing and of discussions. I think it's up to the transition taskforce to determine what format that is in, but I'm sure the department will be able to pass on a view from those participating in this debate about the need to share information and be upfront.