Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck sidelined in Scott Morrison’s cabinet reshuffle

A Minister who was heavily criticised during the coronavirus pandemic has been sidelined from his own portfolio – but the PM says it’s not a demotion.

Embattled Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck has been sidelined from his own portfolio during a cabinet overhaul.

But Scott Morrison has dismissed claims the move is a demotion following Senator Colbeck’s heavily criticised handling of the coronavirus pandemic which killed almost 700 Australians in nursing homes.

Under the ministerial shake-up, the aged care portfolio will be elevated to cabinet under the responsibility of Health Minister Greg Hunt.

Mr Hunt will take on the government’s response to the Aged Care Royal Commission report being handed down next year, including its budget implications.

Health Minister Greg Hunt will take on some of Richard Colbeck’s responsibilities in the aged care portfolio. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Morrison said the aged care portfolio was now being held at the highest level that it could be given the “size and scale of the reform program” that will need to be implemented following the report.

“I’m putting the best people in the roles to support addressing that need. It’s not about politics.

“What matters is aged care and the care of elderly Australians.”

Senator Colbeck will retain responsibility for aged care services including residential and home care packages, and aged care sector regulation with Mr Hunt to draw on his knowledge.

He will also continue as the Minister sport and keep the senior Australians portfolio.

Mr Morrison said the aged care challenges in Australia were “very, very serious”. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

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The prime minister said Senator Colbeck would continue to play a “very important role”.

“I thank Richard for the great work he’s been doing in what has been a very difficult year in this portfolio,” Mr Morrison said.

“What I’m doing is putting more grunt, more resources, more capacity into dealing with the challenges in aged care.”

Senator Colbeck has repeatedly resisted opposition calls for him to resign during the pandemic.

He was in August forced to apologise for not knowing the number of aged care deaths and “missteps” in the handling of coronavirus in nursing homes.