QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator RUSTON (South Australia—Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (14:01): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. The coalition has dragged Labor kicking and screaming today to deliver all of the 83,000 home-care packages that were promised by them during the election, including 40,000 of these places before the end of the year and 20,000 of those places right now.

Labor didn't want to do this, but we're pleased, along with the Greens and Senator Pocock, that we have made this happen today on behalf of older Australians. Why did it take the government to the last minute for it to support this sensible position?