The announcement – made late on Friday by Minister for Aged Care Senator Richard Colbeck (pictured) – will see the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety run through until November 2020 after the Commissioners requested an extension to hear more evidence and conduct its enquiries.
The request – which was signed off on by the Governor-General, the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (retd) – also saw an additional commissioner, the Hon Gaetano (Tony) Pagone QC appointed to join Commissioners Richard Tracey and Lynelle Briggs (see next story).
The date for the interim report – due 31 October 2019, six weeks away – remains unchanged.
But the date for the final report – originally due 30 April 2020 – has now been pushed back until 12 November 2020 – over 12 months away.
The Commission is also currently reviewing the closing date for submissions – suggesting it too will likely be extended.
The Minister says he is looking forward to receiving the “comprehensive analysis” of the Royal Commission and their recommendations.
But how long will it be before those recommendations see action by the Government?
Given the evidence at last week’s hearing on younger people in residential care dwelt on the Government’s inaction on that issue, it would suggest the Minister will need to be the one to drive change in the interim.
