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BREAKING: Former Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy is making a surprise appearance at the Aged Care Royal Commission. Holy Moley. He's starting with a bang!!! More to come
Commissioner Pagone tells Prof Murphy that he can't make an opening statement addressing Mr Rozen QC's opening statement of Monday, in which he accused the Federal Government of not having a plan for Aged Care sector in the pandemic.
Temporary adjournment while Commissioners consult with Counsel Assisting....(this is killing me)
Commissioner Pagone (in denying Murphy's request) : "It's not usual for any of the parties that have appeared before us to be given an opportunity to make a statement about what's appeared in the media...I don't propose for that to occur today."
"We're mindful of the significance of the issues and the sensitivities of the issues....the focus of today is not for different positions to be put"
Now Michael Lye, the Deputy Secretary of Ageing and Aged Care has been sworn and questioning is getting underway as has Commissioner Janet Anderson. Brendan Murphy has been told he can stay and some questions may be directed to him later in the day.
Commissioner Pagone has received a note. Counsel for the Commonwealth (Ms Morgan) has applied to make a submission to the Commission.
Commissioner Pagone tells Ms Morgan that her application shouldn't have interrupted the proceedings. Who knew this would be so dramatic?!!
Professor Murphy, who is now the Secretary of the Department of Health has just been told to limit his answers to the scope of the question. Getting testy in this zoom room.
Michael Lye is asked why the death rate in Australian Aged Care facilities is one of the highest in the world. He says that Prof Murphy will answer that question. Counsel Assisting says "No, I don't want Professor Murphy to answer." (Sheesh!!)
Lye: "Australia has a low death-rate in relation to Covid...our death rate is Aged Care is 0.1 per cent of the Aged Care population." (compares this to UK where death rate has been higher)
Michael Lye (Dep. Sec Dept of Ageing and Aged Care) is being questioned about a CDNA document which Fed Government has said was part of the plan to address Covid in Aged Care. Rozen points out that the document is entitled "guidelines" rather than "plan." Lye agrees.
