Opposition leader Anthony Albanese is addressing the coronavirus crisis in Australia's aged care homes.
"When I think of what is going on in aged care facilities at the moment, some of the stories that I am hearing and the pictures that we are seeing, my heart is shredded," Mr Albanese said.
"The fact is, that too many of our sons and daughters of our World War II veterans said their final goodbyes to their parents over FaceTime.
"Our incredible aged care workers are holding the hands of our precious elderly as they pass.
"The fact is, we as a country need to do much better."
Mr Albanese called on the government to establish a national body that focuses solely on coordination in aged care facilities, a previous recommendation from the aged care commissioner.
"Labor is urging the federal government to ensure that it creates an aged care specific national coordinating body in line with the statement of the commissioner," Mr Albanese said.
"We urge the government to act on this as a matter of urgency.
"One of the most astonishing facts that has come out through the royal commission and other evidence and statements is the fact that aged care workers have not had access to personal protective equipment.
"The idea that in 2020, someone looking after an elderly, sick Australian, who has helped build this country, has to decide whether they will use a left glove or a right glove because they cannot use both is not good enough.
"We need to do much better…The least we could do is to give them dignity and respect in their elder years."