Minister in dark over turfed-out pensioners

THE federal minister for aged care was slammed for being unable to answer questions on the Earle Haven nursing home crisis during question time in the Senate yesterday.

More than a week after the crisis that left more than 70 residents in emergency accommodation, Senator Richard Colbeck was unable to detail if complaints about the facility had been received by Canberra before the mass exodus, if the department knew about the contract difficulties, previous sanctions or when inspectors last visited the facility.

Senator Colbeck said he would have to take the specifics of complaints and inspections on notice.

“I am just looking though my brief to see if it is there,” the Senator said.

“I am not certain of the date when they (Aged Care Quality Commission) last visited the facility, I am happy to provide that information to the chamber on notice.”

Queensland Labor Senator Murray Watt slammed the senator’s response.

“The minister hasn’t been able to answer the most basic questions about a catastrophic closure of an aged-care facility,” Senator Watt said during the proceedings.

“He has not been able to answer any questions.”

During question time Senator Colbeck did, however, express his dismay at the events and called on the nursing contractor HelpStreet to pay staff.

“I would urge the parties that have not paid, and I understand that is an organisation called HelpStreet, to fully pay staff entitlements due to their staff,” Senator Colbeck said.

The senator did not detail how he would ensure the payments would be made.

There was an 88 per cent occupancy rate of all aged-care facilities across the Gold Coast at the time the emergency unfolded.