QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator LIDDLE (South Australia—Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate) (14:52): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Senator McAllister. Ninety-one-year-old John Wilson spent the final months of his life waiting for care your government had already assessed he needed. His family repeatedly warned My Aged Care that he would die before help arrived.

They were right. John died at the end of April. Months later, the day after his funeral, his family received a letter approving his package.

The government's own figures, quietly released on budget night, show the median wait for assessment in receiving a Support at Home package is now 12 months. Minister, how many more older Australians will die waiting for care from your government that you already promised them?