31st Aug 2020, 12:13 PM – Representatives Motions - Covid-19: Aged Care - Don't let a vote happen

The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with a motion introduced by Leader of the Opposition and Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese (Labor). The motion was to suspend the usual procedural rules - known as standing orders - in order to let a vote happen.

Motion text

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion immediately:

That the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Australian Government funds and regulates residential aged care;

(b) the Australian Government has not produced a COVID-19 plan for aged care;

(c) more than 400 aged care residents have died from COVID-19; and

(d) the aged care Royal Commission has said that if the Australian Government had acted upon previous reviews of aged care, the suffering of many people could have been avoided; and

(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to:

(a) produce a COVID-19 plan for aged care that delivers:

(i) minimum staffing levels;

(ii) reduced home care waiting lists;

(iii) more transparency;

(iv) public reporting;

(v) adequate PPE;

(vi) staff training;

(vii) a better surge workforce strategy; and

(viii) additional funding for the aged care Royal Commission; and

(b) sack Senator Colbeck from the aged care portfolio.