Senator Richard Colbeck has stated that the Government, health authorities and Anglicare are doing all they can to care for the infected residents at the home in Western Sydney – but they must let the virus “runs its course” in those who are infected – in another appalling ‘interview’ with the Today Show host yesterday morning.
You can watch the segment here.
Karl began by replaying footage from last week’s interview – in which he accused the Minister of letting residents “die on his watch” – showing the Minister saying that the Government “was throwing everything we can at it.
“Clearly you didn’t sort what you wanted to out,” the host asks. “How has this got so out of control?”
“I’m not sure I’d agree with you Karl,” the Minister responds, saying that staffing had been returned to normal levels at the home since late last week.
The Minister said he had been working closely with the State Government to ensure the home had enough staff.
“This is just the tragic effect of this virus taking hold in a facility where people are extremely vulnerable,” he said.
“There will be some staff from the facility coming back out of isolation today. We’ve not limited the resources we have made available to Anglicare at all in this circumstance.”
Karl’s tactful response is to ask: “how many more will die there?”
“Unfortunately, there may be more,” the Minister replied.” I don’t know the individual circumstances of them all. It’s just the effect of this virus and I can understand how genuinely concerned family members will be.
The Minister said another medical conference would be held at the home on Wednesday to discuss the management of residents who have tested positive.
The host was frustrated by this remark however.
“How many meetings do you have to have?” Karl questioned.
“It’s not about that Karl, we have to be considering continually evaluating circumstances,” the Minister replied.
“Unfortunately, there is no cure for the virus. We have to let it run its course in the people it infects... we just have to keep monitoring everyone in the facility and make sure we’re doing everything we can medically in their interests.”
It is a good performance by the Minister.
You must ask yourself however: is it time for Australia to have a dedicated Minister for Aged Care?
If you listened to the interview between Minister Colbeck and Radio National’s Fran Kelly yesterday, you would have noted that her final question was about the resumption of the rugby – a reminder of the Minister’s other priorities.
It is easy to forget that the Aged Care Minister also has Sport and Youth among his portfolios – and these have also both been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with sports cancelled and youth community groups hit by social distancing measures.
Does aged care need to have its own voice in Government?
