The Aged Care Companies Minister has defended his determination to attend the Ashes in Hobart, as an alternative of a COVID-19 inquiry into the disaster unfolding in Australian nursing properties.
When invited to present proof to the Senate Committee on January 14, Richard Colbeck mentioned he and others inside the division have been too busy coping with Omicron outbreaks.
"Diverting time and assets... to present proof earlier than the committee at this significant time would influence the pressing and important work the division is enterprise," Senator Colbeck wrote in a response early final month.
It was later revealed Senator Colbeck, who can be the Sports activities Minister, was on the first day of the fifth Take a look at in Hobart on January 14.
Throughout a committee listening to in Canberra at present, Senator Colbeck mentioned he stood by his determination to attend the cricket, and "continued to concentrate to aged care" whereas he was there.
"All by means of that weekend I labored by means of issues in each portfolios, however notably aged care," Senator Colbeck advised the listening to.
"Though it was a weekend, and I used to be attending the check match."
Tasmanian impartial Senator Jacqui Lambie blasted Senator Colbeck for claiming he did not need to "divert assets" by holding the listening to.
"Was that simply an excuse? As a result of fairly frankly to me... it appears such as you simply weren't coming since you would reasonably go to the cricket and drink frothies."
Senator Colbeck mentioned he stood by his assertion that the division was targeted on managing the excessive numbers of circumstances in aged care properties on the time.
"I've by no means refused to look earlier than the committee. The dialog we have been having was across the timing," he mentioned.
Requested if the sector is in disaster, the Minister conceded residents and workers are beneath pressure, however he believes they're managing the scenario.
"I do know it is definitely working very, very laborious to handle the impacts, notably of the Omicron outbreak," he mentioned.
Your COVID-19 questions answered
"My view, and the info helps that, is the sector is performing exceptionally nicely within the work it is doing."