Embattled Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck won’t resign - NEWS.com.au

Embattled Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck has dismissed Opposition calls for his resignation, saying he hasn’t considered it.

Senator Colbeck was forced to apologise last week for not knowing the number of aged care deaths and “missteps” in the handling of coronavirus in nursing homes.

In his first appearance since the statement, Senator Colbeck was on Monday grilled by journalists during a $563.4 million announcement for aged care coronavirus measures.

“No, I haven’t considered my resignation,” Senator Colbeck said.

“I do believe I still have the confidence of the Prime Minister.

“I should have had the data in front of me when I required it – that is not an indication of the work that I‘m doing more broadly in the portfolio.”

Senator Colbeck said the funding announcement demonstrated the work he was doing to ensure that Australian aged care residents got the support they needed through the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the Federal Government does not know how many aged care workers are still working at multiple facilities.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison again came under fire over the handling of the aged care crisis in Question Time.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese asked why Senator Colbeck still had his job.

“Because under this aged care minister, $1.5 billion of additional support has been put into the aged care sector during the COVID-19 crisis,” Mr Morrison said.

“When additional resources are required to address the significant challenges in aged care sector, the minister has consistently brought forward submissions for additional support to be provided right across the board in aged care sector.”

The new funding measures announced on Monday will be funnelled into the Federal Government’s aged care response plan to prevent more older Australians from dying at the hands of coronavirus.

Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the funding for four measures as Victoria added a further 37 deaths linked to aged care outbreaks.

The COVID-19 supplement for aged care facilities to provide personal protective equipment and train their workforce will be extended for six months until the end of February 2021 at a cost of $245 million.

Providers will receive a one-off payment of around $975 per resident in major metropolitan areas and $1435 per resident in all other areas.

COVID-19 related costs including increased staffing, communication with families and managing visitation arrangements can also be funded through the Services Australia payment, which will be provided by early October.

A further $92.4 million will also support aged care workers in COVID-19 areas to work at one facility. This will be extended from eight weeks to 12 weeks per facility and be available until June 30, 2021.

Short-term home support for older Australians who are on leave from residential aged care will also be extended until next June at a cost of $71.4 million.

The COVID-19 aged care workforce retention payment will also receive a $154.5 million injection.

“All of these things come together with a very simple goal,” Mr Hunt said.

“To save lives and protect lives within our aged care facilities and across Australia.

“We have overwhelmingly avoided those tolls in Australia, but we’re seeing in Victoria an agonising loss, so this will help Victoria continue to fight that.”

The Morrison Government has long defended the level of funding in the aged care sector.

Senator Colbeck said it was closely watching the royal commission so it could respond to its report, due on February 26 next year, in the May Budget.

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2020-08-31 04:52:30Z
CBMipQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9maW5hbmNlL3dvcmsvbGVhZGVycy9mZWRlcmFsLWdvdmVybm1lbnQtYW5ub3VuY2VzLTU2MzQtbWlsbGlvbi1mb3ItYWdlZC1jYXJlLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLW1lYXN1cmVzL25ld3Mtc3RvcnkvNmNmNzE1M2YxZDgyMTU1MWZhNzliMTBhNDBlMWZhYmXSAaUBaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAubmV3cy5jb20uYXUvZmluYW5jZS93b3JrL2xlYWRlcnMvZmVkZXJhbC1nb3Zlcm5tZW50LWFubm91bmNlcy01NjM0LW1pbGxpb24tZm9yLWFnZWQtY2FyZS1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1tZWFzdXJlcy9uZXdzLXN0b3J5LzZjZjcxNTNmMWQ4MjE1NTFmYTc5YjEwYTQwZTFmYWJl

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