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Coronavirus Australia live update: royal commission finds aged care was 'insufficiently' prepared for Covid-19 Coronavirus Australia live update: royal commission finds aged care was 'insufficiently' prepared for Covid-19
(30 minutes later)
Aged care minister Richard Colbeck says government will accept all recommendations from the commission, as Queensland expands NSW border bubble and Scott Morrison outlines Coalition’s manufacturing reboot. Follow liveAged care minister Richard Colbeck says government will accept all recommendations from the commission, as Queensland expands NSW border bubble and Scott Morrison outlines Coalition’s manufacturing reboot. Follow live
Aged and Community Services Australia, which represents not-for-profit providers, has welcomed the aged care royal commission’s report and urged the government to act urgently.
Pat Sparrow, the chief executive of ACSA, said in a statement:
“These are fantastic recommendations to safeguard aged care from the pandemic and the government should adopt them urgently. The interface between aged care and the health system has been broken for some time. Older people should not have healthcare rationed. The Medicare Benefits Schedule numbers and improved hospitalisation policy as proposed by ACSA will be big steps forward if implemented.”
Labor’s spokesperson for ageing and seniors, Julie Collins, has accused the government of “catastrophic failure” resulting in “a national tragedy”.
In a statement, she said the aged care royal commission report confirmed the government had no plan for Covid-19 in aged care.
“The foundations of our country’s aged care system have buckled under the pressure of a deadly disease and the Morrison government did not do enough to stop it,” she said.
“Australians are owed action. The Morrison government cannot announce its way out of this disaster.”
Aged care expert Prof Joseph Ibrahim, who testified before the royal commission, is on the ABC and says that the government’s response is “not sufficient”.Aged care expert Prof Joseph Ibrahim, who testified before the royal commission, is on the ABC and says that the government’s response is “not sufficient”.
“What is clear from the royal commission report is the federal government is clearly responsible for the aged care response, that is beyond doubt now,” he says.“What is clear from the royal commission report is the federal government is clearly responsible for the aged care response, that is beyond doubt now,” he says.
“They still don’t have a national plan. Recommendation four from the royal commission asks again for a national plan, this was not established until around the time of the royal commission hearings. I had called for these to be done in March.“They still don’t have a national plan. Recommendation four from the royal commission asks again for a national plan, this was not established until around the time of the royal commission hearings. I had called for these to be done in March.
“The fact that the government has accepted all of these recommendations is good and constructive but does not absolve them of their responsibility previously.”“The fact that the government has accepted all of these recommendations is good and constructive but does not absolve them of their responsibility previously.”
Aged care minister Richard Colbeck says the government will accept all recommendations of the aged care royal commission, who today issued a special report into Covid-19.Aged care minister Richard Colbeck says the government will accept all recommendations of the aged care royal commission, who today issued a special report into Covid-19.
Colbeck describes the report today as “quite constructive”.Colbeck describes the report today as “quite constructive”.
He says the government was already “well-progressed” on four of the six recommendations before they were announced.He says the government was already “well-progressed” on four of the six recommendations before they were announced.
“Additionally, the government will, as a part of our initial response to the report, be announcing $40.6m as an investment in two initiatives. One of those will be an additional $29.8m in the serious incident response scheme that we have announced funding for previously, and we will be bringing the commencement of that program forward until early next year.“Additionally, the government will, as a part of our initial response to the report, be announcing $40.6m as an investment in two initiatives. One of those will be an additional $29.8m in the serious incident response scheme that we have announced funding for previously, and we will be bringing the commencement of that program forward until early next year.
“And in response to recommendation five, we are announcing an extra $10.8m to enhance skills and leadership of aged care nurses to ensure older Australians and senior Australians receive the best care possible.”“And in response to recommendation five, we are announcing an extra $10.8m to enhance skills and leadership of aged care nurses to ensure older Australians and senior Australians receive the best care possible.”
The royal commissioners, Tony Pagone QC and Lynelle Briggs AO, made a point in this report to say it is “not the time for blame” because “there is too much at stake”.The royal commissioners, Tony Pagone QC and Lynelle Briggs AO, made a point in this report to say it is “not the time for blame” because “there is too much at stake”.
They said they were in “no doubt that people, governments and government departments have worked tirelessly to avert, contain and respond to this human tragedy”.They said they were in “no doubt that people, governments and government departments have worked tirelessly to avert, contain and respond to this human tragedy”.
But the report said the nation needed to know what lessons had been learned – and what lessons still needed to be learnt.But the report said the nation needed to know what lessons had been learned – and what lessons still needed to be learnt.
“The nation needs to know what is being done, and what will be done, to protect those people receiving aged care services – those who this virus has affected disproportionately and whose entitlement to high quality care in safe environments that protect their wellbeing and dignity falls within the scope of our commission.”“The nation needs to know what is being done, and what will be done, to protect those people receiving aged care services – those who this virus has affected disproportionately and whose entitlement to high quality care in safe environments that protect their wellbeing and dignity falls within the scope of our commission.”
The aged care minister, Richard Colbeck, will address the media at 4.45pm.The aged care minister, Richard Colbeck, will address the media at 4.45pm.
The royal commission has identified four things the government should do “immediately” to help the aged care sector right now.The royal commission has identified four things the government should do “immediately” to help the aged care sector right now.
That includes allowing a greater number of visitors.That includes allowing a greater number of visitors.
The report says:The report says:
The aged care royal commission has found the Australian government’s measures to prepare the aged care sector for Covid-19 were “insufficient” in some respects.The royal commission’s special report on aged care and Covid-19 has just been released.The report said the nation’s chief health and medical officers had acknowledged in March that Covid-19 posed a significant health risk for the elderly, “it is now clear that the measures implemented by the Australian government on advice from the AHPPC were in some respects insufficient to ensure preparedness of the aged care sector”.The aged care royal commission has found the Australian government’s measures to prepare the aged care sector for Covid-19 were “insufficient” in some respects.The royal commission’s special report on aged care and Covid-19 has just been released.The report said the nation’s chief health and medical officers had acknowledged in March that Covid-19 posed a significant health risk for the elderly, “it is now clear that the measures implemented by the Australian government on advice from the AHPPC were in some respects insufficient to ensure preparedness of the aged care sector”.
“Confused and inconsistent messaging from providers, the Australian government and state and territory governments emerged as themes in the submissions we have received on Covid-19. All too often, providers, care recipients and their families, and health workers did not have an answer to the critical question: Who is in charge? At a time of crisis, such as this pandemic, clear leadership, direction and lines of communication are essential.”“Confused and inconsistent messaging from providers, the Australian government and state and territory governments emerged as themes in the submissions we have received on Covid-19. All too often, providers, care recipients and their families, and health workers did not have an answer to the critical question: Who is in charge? At a time of crisis, such as this pandemic, clear leadership, direction and lines of communication are essential.”
We’ll have more detail on this report shortly.We’ll have more detail on this report shortly.
The industry minister, Karen Andrews, is on the ABC and has said she might look at a Five Eyes-esque network where Australia and similar “like-minded” countries could collaborate to set up supply chains of emergency goods.The industry minister, Karen Andrews, is on the ABC and has said she might look at a Five Eyes-esque network where Australia and similar “like-minded” countries could collaborate to set up supply chains of emergency goods.
Andrews said Australia would look to boost its own manufacturing of things like surgical masks and medical supplies to make the country self-sufficient.Andrews said Australia would look to boost its own manufacturing of things like surgical masks and medical supplies to make the country self-sufficient.
But she added:But she added:
ABC host Jane Norman asked her if this would be “an extension of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing network” with English-speaking countries such as the UK, New Zealand and Canada.ABC host Jane Norman asked her if this would be “an extension of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing network” with English-speaking countries such as the UK, New Zealand and Canada.
Andrews confirmed she would be looking at those kinds of countries. She said the government would not be nationalising companies.Andrews confirmed she would be looking at those kinds of countries. She said the government would not be nationalising companies.
Some more reaction to the decision to grant public servants in NSW a 0.3% pay rise.Some more reaction to the decision to grant public servants in NSW a 0.3% pay rise.
The general secretary of Public Service Association, Stewart Little, said it was “absolutely diabolical” and affecting frontline staff who had worked hard during the Covid-19 pandemic.The general secretary of Public Service Association, Stewart Little, said it was “absolutely diabolical” and affecting frontline staff who had worked hard during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The general secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, Brett Holmes, said it was a “disgraceful” outcome for nurses who have been putting their lives and their families at risk amid Covid-19, AAP reports.The general secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, Brett Holmes, said it was a “disgraceful” outcome for nurses who have been putting their lives and their families at risk amid Covid-19, AAP reports.
NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos described the ruling as “nothing short of an insult”.NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos described the ruling as “nothing short of an insult”.
The decision comes after the NSW government pushed to freeze the pay of public servants.The decision comes after the NSW government pushed to freeze the pay of public servants.
Today, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission decided to grant public servants a 0.3% pay rise, saying that would keep the real value of their wages from sliding back.Today, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission decided to grant public servants a 0.3% pay rise, saying that would keep the real value of their wages from sliding back.
Hi all, it’s Naaman Zhou here. Thanks to Amy Remeikis for her work today.Hi all, it’s Naaman Zhou here. Thanks to Amy Remeikis for her work today.
In other IR news, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission has awarded a 0.3% pay increase for public servants, which unions have called a “disgrace”.In other IR news, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission has awarded a 0.3% pay increase for public servants, which unions have called a “disgrace”.
The NSW government had wanted to freeze pay rises for 12 months, which was opposed by unions and frontline workers including paramedics, nurses, police officers and teachers, who had been seeking to get their 2.5% annual pay rise.The NSW government had wanted to freeze pay rises for 12 months, which was opposed by unions and frontline workers including paramedics, nurses, police officers and teachers, who had been seeking to get their 2.5% annual pay rise.
AAP reports that the commission decided today that public servants are entitled to maintain the real value of their earnings as is consistent with the government wages policy and a pay freeze would see a 0.3% reduction in the real value of their earnings.AAP reports that the commission decided today that public servants are entitled to maintain the real value of their earnings as is consistent with the government wages policy and a pay freeze would see a 0.3% reduction in the real value of their earnings.
The IRC said:The IRC said:
But the IRC noted the government sector had been shielded from some of the significant employment-related consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic that have hit other industries hard.But the IRC noted the government sector had been shielded from some of the significant employment-related consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic that have hit other industries hard.
The commission said:The commission said:
The decision was slammed by unions, with many describing it as disappointing and a slap in the face.The decision was slammed by unions, with many describing it as disappointing and a slap in the face.
Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey told reporters on Thursday:Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey told reporters on Thursday:
NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay said she was “bitterly disappointed” by the decision.NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay said she was “bitterly disappointed” by the decision.
On that note, I am going to hand you over to Naaman Zhou for the rest of the afternoon.On that note, I am going to hand you over to Naaman Zhou for the rest of the afternoon.
I’ll be back early tomorrow morning. In the meantime – take care of you. AxI’ll be back early tomorrow morning. In the meantime – take care of you. Ax
The Maritime Union of Australia’s Sydney assistant branch secretary, Paul Garrett, has spoken about the Patricks dispute outside the Fair Work Commission in Sydney. And as flagged earlier, the dispute is not over.The Maritime Union of Australia’s Sydney assistant branch secretary, Paul Garrett, has spoken about the Patricks dispute outside the Fair Work Commission in Sydney. And as flagged earlier, the dispute is not over.
Garrett said the union had paused its industrial action, which included bans on overtime and acting in more senior duties, until the Fair Work Commission hears the company’s application on 26 and 27 October to terminate the actions.Garrett said the union had paused its industrial action, which included bans on overtime and acting in more senior duties, until the Fair Work Commission hears the company’s application on 26 and 27 October to terminate the actions.
Garrett said the union had offered the same weeks ago to suspend actions and continue negotiations. He disputed the company’s characterisation of their offer, which he said would have resulted in “mass casualisation” through engagement of 50 casuals in roles that should be full-time, and warned that the union “won’t trade off pay for job insecurity”.Garrett said the union had offered the same weeks ago to suspend actions and continue negotiations. He disputed the company’s characterisation of their offer, which he said would have resulted in “mass casualisation” through engagement of 50 casuals in roles that should be full-time, and warned that the union “won’t trade off pay for job insecurity”.
Garrett also laid into Scott Morrison, who he said had been “wrong all week” because there were not 40 ships off Port Botany waiting to unload, and the company could not identify any ships with medicines waiting to be unloaded.Garrett also laid into Scott Morrison, who he said had been “wrong all week” because there were not 40 ships off Port Botany waiting to unload, and the company could not identify any ships with medicines waiting to be unloaded.
Garrett said:Garrett said:
The Maritime Union of Australia has put out its statement – the conclusion is the same, but the theme and tone is (understandably) very different:The Maritime Union of Australia has put out its statement – the conclusion is the same, but the theme and tone is (understandably) very different:
A marathon two-day conciliation hearing before the Fair Work Commission has failed to resolve the current waterfront dispute after container terminal operator Patrick rejected the Maritime Union of Australia’s formal peace offer.A marathon two-day conciliation hearing before the Fair Work Commission has failed to resolve the current waterfront dispute after container terminal operator Patrick rejected the Maritime Union of Australia’s formal peace offer.
In an updated offer to the company this morning, the union offered to extend the rollover period of the existing workplace agreement to two years — provided an extended period of industrial certainty — along with industry-standard 2.5% a year pay rises.In an updated offer to the company this morning, the union offered to extend the rollover period of the existing workplace agreement to two years — provided an extended period of industrial certainty — along with industry-standard 2.5% a year pay rises.
The deal collapsed after the company insisted workers choose between substantially lower pay rises or changes to the existing agreement that would allow the massive casualisation of the workforce, stripping away job security in the midst of the Covid crisis.The deal collapsed after the company insisted workers choose between substantially lower pay rises or changes to the existing agreement that would allow the massive casualisation of the workforce, stripping away job security in the midst of the Covid crisis.
Patrick said it would only accept the union’s rollover proposal — which would have maintained the status quo in relation to workplace rights and conditions — if workers agreed to accept pay rises a full 1% a year below those being provided by other stevedores, including Patrick’s co-owner Qube Logistics.Patrick said it would only accept the union’s rollover proposal — which would have maintained the status quo in relation to workplace rights and conditions — if workers agreed to accept pay rises a full 1% a year below those being provided by other stevedores, including Patrick’s co-owner Qube Logistics.
The FWC hearing into Patrick’s attempt to stop workers from exercising their legal right to undertake protected industrial action has been adjourned, and will take place over two days from October 26.The FWC hearing into Patrick’s attempt to stop workers from exercising their legal right to undertake protected industrial action has been adjourned, and will take place over two days from October 26.
The union will this afternoon write to the company voluntarily withdrawing all planned industrial action ahead of that hearing.The union will this afternoon write to the company voluntarily withdrawing all planned industrial action ahead of that hearing.
MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said he was dismayed by the company’s rejection of a reasonable and fair peace deal that would have brought this dispute to an immediate end in the public interest.MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said he was dismayed by the company’s rejection of a reasonable and fair peace deal that would have brought this dispute to an immediate end in the public interest.
Crumlin said:Crumlin said:
Crumlin said the union would be vigorously defending the company’s baseless application.Crumlin said the union would be vigorously defending the company’s baseless application.
The “go slow” order that had been delaying ships from docking (which had impacted about 40 cargo ships, although the majority were not in Australian waters) has also been suspended until the next Fair Work Commission hearing on 26/27 October. The overtime ban has been lifted for now.The “go slow” order that had been delaying ships from docking (which had impacted about 40 cargo ships, although the majority were not in Australian waters) has also been suspended until the next Fair Work Commission hearing on 26/27 October. The overtime ban has been lifted for now.
Just back on that statement from Patrick’s, it notes that the MUA has rejected the 1.5% offer (they are chasing 2.5% at this point – the 6% figure you have heard was an early starting point, put forward before the pandemic hit), which means the fight isn’t over, it is just delayed.Just back on that statement from Patrick’s, it notes that the MUA has rejected the 1.5% offer (they are chasing 2.5% at this point – the 6% figure you have heard was an early starting point, put forward before the pandemic hit), which means the fight isn’t over, it is just delayed.