The News Corp paper is reporting that 56 “quality assessors” registered with the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA) also worked in the aged care industry.

Under the AACQA’s Assessor code of conduct, assessors must “disclose to the Quality Agency any current or prior working or personal relationships that may be seen as a conflict of interest” and “not represent any other business interests” while working for the Agency.

Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt has issued a call for the AACQA to explain.

“In line with community and government expectations, strong and objective auditing of aged care facilities must be a bedrock of assessment,” he said.