The Greek-Australian community has been heavily impacted by COVID-19.   In particular, there is a high proportion of elderly Greek-Australians, especially in aged care, that have passed away due to COVID-19 or are currently in hospital fighting for their life as a result of this pandemic.

The GCM is extremely saddened by this and is calling on the industry’s governing authorities to leave no stone unturned in investigating what went wrong and what needs to be urgently fixed to provide the care some of our most vulnerable community members deserve.

We note that the Royal Commission in Aged Care has closed submissions at the end of July and are concerned that the matters specific to the management of this pandemic in Victorian facilities are not fully embraced within its investigations and considerations.

We call on the Federal Government, Victorian Government and other stakeholders to conduct whatever assessments are needed and determine what needs to be put in place moving forward so as to never see a tragedy like the one we are living through ever take place again.