Royal commission extended six months, new commissioner named

Governor-General David Hurley has signed off on a request from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety for an extension of six months, Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck has announced.

Colbeck also named an additional commissioner – retired Federal Court judge Gaetano (Tony) Pagone.

In a statement, Colbeck said:

“It is important that our aged care sector continues to provide high quality care and that we understand where we can make improvements.

“The government has continued to implement reforms while the commission progresses, as we said we would, including the commencement of new Aged Care Quality Standards and Charter of Aged Care Rights and strengthened provisions around the use of restraints.”

Initially, the commissioners were required to provide an interim report by 31 October 2019 and a final report by 30 April 2020.

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