Skip to main content ABC News * Just In * For You * Politics * World * Business * Analysis * Sport More Search the news, stories & people Log in * News Home * Just In * For You * Analysis * Rural * Watch Live * Health * Indigenous * Politics * Science * Elections * World * Environment * Investigations * Business * Fact Check * Local news * Sport * AFL * NRL * Football * Tennis * Cricket * Netball * Lifestyle * Wellbeing * Relationships & Family * Food & Recipes * Personal Finance * Home & Garden * Entertainment * TV & Movies * Books * Music * Pop Culture * Arts #### Your ABC Account Personalise the news and stay in the know Log in to personalise * Facebook * YouTube * Instagram * Twitter * Emergency * Backstory * Newsletters * 中文新闻 * BERITA BAHASA INDONESIA * TOK PISIN * ABC * ABC iView * ABC Listen * Triple J * ABC Kids * ABC News ### ABC News has a fresh look We\'ve made it easier to find the stories that matter to you with a new homepage, personalised sections and more. ABC News News Home Fact Check Latest updatesAsk a question Share # Scott Morrison says Richard Colbeck has appeared before the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 \'many, many times\'. Is that correct? RMIT ABC Fact Check * Topic:COVID-19 Wed 9 Feb 2022Wednesday 9 February 2022Wed 9 Feb 2022 at 2:34am ![\\"Scott](\\" cdn.net.au/b84b8771c5d0f1f101d12acba8b06e88?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=529&cropW=940&xPos=0&yPos=98&width=862&height=485\\"/) Display caption Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, has appeared before the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 on \"countless occasions\". (ABC News: Tamara Penniket) abc.net.au/news/fact-check-scott-morrison-on-richard-colbeck-hearing- attendances/100813732 Link copied ShareShare article ## The claim Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, has faced increasing criticism over his decision to attend a cricket match rather than a sitting of the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19. In response, Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently took to a Brisbane radio station to defend the senator from Tasmania. Asked by 4BC host Neil Breen whether Senator Colbeck should have appeared at the committee hearing, Mr Morrison responded: \"He has appeared, as you know, at that hearing on many, many occasions.\" \"[H]e\'s appeared before that [committee] on countless occasions.\" Is that correct? RMIT ABC Fact Check investigates. ## The verdict Mr Morrison is wrong. At the time of Mr Morrison\'s claim on January 28, Senator Colbeck had appeared at only two of 55 public hearings of the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19. ![\\"Richard](\\" cdn.net.au/59a1b9c2a3e56b6c160327a6cf604079?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=3332&cropW=4998&xPos=1&yPos=0&width=862&height=575\\"/) Senator Colbeck attended a hearing for the committee for the first time in 2022 on February 2, after Mr Morrison made his claim. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy) ## The context of the claim The Prime Minister\'s claim came amid a media storm surrounding a decision made by Senator Colbeck to turn down an invitation to attend a public hearing of the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19. In publicly available correspondence between Senator Colbeck and the committee\'s chair, Labor senator Katy Gallagher, Senator Colbeck said he was \"concerned about the impact of the timing\" of the hearing, which was slated for January 14. ![\\"Katy](\\" cdn.net.au/8a221b704f586c351127e8132553db1c?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=2000&cropW=2997&xPos=1&yPos=0&width=862&height=575\\"/) Labor\'s Katy Gallagher is the chair of the cross-party committee. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore) \"Diverting time and resources, including that of senior leaders within the Department who are playing a key role in the management of the current Omicron outbreaks, to give evidence before the Committee at this crucial time would impact the urgent and critical work the Department is undertaking with other Government agencies, states and territories to manage these outbreaks,\" Senator Colbeck wrote in a letter to Senator Gallagher on January 9. It later emerged, however, that during the period the hearing was set to have been held, Senator Colbeck had attended a cricket match in Hobart. In a statement to the ABC\'s 7.30 program, Senator Colbeck said he attended the Ashes Test \"as part of his commitments as Minister for Sport and Senator for Tasmania\" and that in addition to attending the match he had also taken part in a number of meetings in relation to his role as Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Minister on January 14. ## How many times has Senator Colbeck attended committee hearings? The Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 was set up in April 2020 to \"inquire into the Australian Government\'s response to the COVID-19 pandemic\". Chaired by Labor\'s Senator Gallagher, the six other full members of the committee hail from the Labor, Liberal, Nationals and Greens parties, in addition to independent senator Jacqui Lambie. Has Video Duration: 5 minutes 28 seconds. Watch 5m ![\\"\\"](\\" cdn.net.au/1a7dd9c260741bd2dc990e9fca0e8e02?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=576&cropW=1023&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=485\\"/) Katy Gallagher on Richard Colbeck attending the cricket instead of a Senate committee hearing (Laura Tingle) Senator Colbeck does not sit on the full committee, nor is he a participating member. (Participating members take part in public hearings and private meetings, but do not have voting rights). Transcripts from past public hearings of the committee show that in his role as a minister, Senator Colbeck had appeared as a witness at committee hearings twice when Mr Morrison made his claim on January 28. As of the date of Mr Morrison\'s claim, the committee had held 55 public hearings. In an email to Fact Check, Jeanette Radcliffe, the secretary of the committee, confirmed this count. No hearing took place on January 14. The first hearing of 2022 was on February 2, when Senator Colbeck appeared. Fact Check has not assessed whether or not Senator Colbeck has been invited to appear on more occasions, as this is not encompassed in the claim made by Mr Morrison. Both of Senator Colbeck\'s two appearances, which took place on August 4 and August 21, 2020, occurred when Senator Colbeck was the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians. In December 2020, Senator Colbeck was made the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, while Health Minister Greg Hunt took over the Aged Care portfolio. _Principal researcher:Ellen McCutchan_ ## Sources * Scott Morrison, Interview with Neil Breen, 4BC, January 28, 2022 * Richard Colbeck, Correspondence to Katy Gallagher, January 9, 2022 * Richard Colbeck missed the COVID Senate hearing and went to the cricket instead, 7.30, January 27, 2022 * Richard Colbeck, Statement to 7.30, January 27, 2022 Posted Wed 9 Feb 2022 at 2:34amWednesday 9 Feb 2022 at 2:34amWed 9 Feb 2022 at 2:34am Share options * Copy link * Facebook * X (formerly Twitter) ## ![\\"Fact](\\"/news-assets/logo-fact-check.png\\"/) Fearlessly follow the facts no matter where they lead. More Fact Check stories ### Attributing this article This article was undertaken through a collaborative partnership between RMIT University and the ABC, which concluded in June 2024. The article should be attributed as \"RMIT ABC Fact Check [date]\" Contact Fact Check ### Connect with Fact Check * * * * * ![\\"\\"](\\" cdn.net.au/22cbeef0b263587936a64fe07083b96d?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=619&cropW=1100&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=485\\"/) Fact Check made in partnership with RMIT University ![\\"\\"](\\" cdn.net.au/c3a352c2a04c95ca081a2a31ba6d645d?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=352&cropW=352&xPos=136&yPos=0&width=862&height=862\\"/) IFCN Fact-Checkers\' Code of Principles Signatory ## Top Stories ### Israel vows to make Iran \'pay\' for missile attacks as fears of conflict escalation rise Topic:Unrest, Conflict and War Photo shows Israel\'s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets ![\\"Israel\\'s](\\" cdn.net.au/edb0a5b1949c591881db0253fa09475a?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=1853&cropW=2780&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=575\\") ### As rockets fell over Israel, attackers opened fire in a Tel Aviv neighbourhood Topic:War Photo shows Armed Israeli police kneel in a defensive position near emergency services vehilcles parked beside a light rail line.![\\"Armed](\\" cdn.net.au/a26c4efc339e348e8d548bbf18c79273?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=3333&cropW=5000&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=575\\") ### PM condemns Iran\'s missile strike on Israel as Australians told again to leave Lebanon at first opportunity Topic:Federal Government Photo shows PMs courtyard, man talking![\\"PMs](\\" production.wcms.abc- cdn.net.au/3de282bc838032aa005f38fbf4acc220?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=6265&cropW=9397&xPos=1&yPos=0&width=862&height=575\\") ### In a fortnight of escalations, the Iran missile attack on Israel is unlikely to be the last one Analysis by Riley Stuart Photo shows The flags of Iran Lebanon and Hezbollah![\\"The](\\" production.wcms.abc- cdn.net.au/53910734aca7bd7f9f57351993c3c73e?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=3333&cropW=5000&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=575\\") ### More than 430,000 Australians could have owned their own home today – if not for inaction from seven PMs ![\\"\\"](\\" cdn.net.au/e75816e3c9bbe6078985746c44a6affd?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=2000&cropW=2000&xPos=500&yPos=0&width=160&height=160\\") P Analysis by Peter Martin Photo shows Pink house with curved red door![\\"Pink](\\" production.wcms.abc- cdn.net.au/5d75fceca6ac3930e97e615af7c2a173?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=4000&cropW=6000&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=575\\") ## Related stories ### \'I wasn\'t the only one\': Aged Care Services Minister defends going to cricket instead of a COVID committee Topic:Federal Government Photo shows Richard Colbeck looks down while answering questions at a hearing inside parliament house![\\"Richard](\\" cdn.net.au/59a1b9c2a3e56b6c160327a6cf604079?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=3332&cropW=4998&xPos=1&yPos=0&width=862&height=575\\") ### Government defends $400 bonus to aged care workers as it warns wage increase may make sector unsustainable Topic:Federal Government Photo shows An aged signpost showing figures holding hands with words \'aged\' underneath![\\"An](\\" cdn.net.au/2c174afd7f73ba202bdc93ff1f95ad92?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=1383&cropW=2078&xPos=0&yPos=41&width=862&height=575\\") ### Fact check: Is the Government not yet in caretaker mode? Topic:Fact Check ![\\"\\"](\\" cdn.net.au/791cbc1a8c3fd2001bfd20068867d80d?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=627&cropW=939&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=575\\") ## Related topics * Australia * COVID-19 * Federal Parliament * Hobart * Liberal Party of Australia * Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries * TAS ## Top Stories 1. ### Israel vows to make Iran \'pay\' for missile attacks as fears of conflict escalation rise Topic:Unrest, Conflict and War Photo shows Israel\'s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets ![\\"Israel\\'s](\\" cdn.net.au/edb0a5b1949c591881db0253fa09475a?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=1853&cropW=2471&xPos=213&yPos=0&width=862&height=647\\"/) 2. ### As rockets fell over Israel, attackers opened fire in a Tel Aviv neighbourhood Topic:War 3. ### PM condemns Iran\'s missile strike on Israel as Australians told again to leave Lebanon at first opportunity Topic:Federal Government 4. ### In a fortnight of escalations, the Iran missile attack on Israel is unlikely to be the last one Analysis by Riley Stuart 5. ### More than 430,000 Australians could have owned their own home today – if not for inaction from seven PMs ![\\"\\"](\\" cdn.net.au/e75816e3c9bbe6078985746c44a6affd?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=2000&cropW=2000&xPos=500&yPos=0&width=160&height=160\\") P Analysis by Peter Martin ## Just In 1. ### Andrew Thaler has been elected to his local NSW council but won\'t be allowed in the building Topic:Local Government 1h ago1 hours agoWed 2 Oct 2024 at 2:35pm 2. ### \'Difficult to say goodbye\': Matildas great Clare Polkinghorne announces retirement after record-breaking career Topic:Matildas 1h ago1 hours agoWed 2 Oct 2024 at 2:25pm 3. ### Legal Aid NT warns it will stop taking on adult criminal matters in 2025 due to lack of funding Topic:Law, Crime and Justice 1h ago1 hours agoWed 2 Oct 2024 at 2:22pm 4. ### Underqualified pilot who crashed into north Queensland mountain likely disorientated by clouds Topic:Air and Space Accidents and Incidents 1h ago1 hours agoWed 2 Oct 2024 at 2:12pm More Just In Back to top ## Footer ABC News homepage More From ABC NEWS We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. ### Sections * ABC NEWS * Just In * Watch Live * Politics * World * Business * Analysis * Sport * Science * Health * Entertainment * Lifestyle * Fact Check * Other ### News in language * 中文 * Berita Bahasa Indonesia * Tok Pisin ### Connect with ABC News * Facebook * Instagram * YouTube * Apple News * X (formerly Twitter) ### More from ABC News * Contact ABC NEWS This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) * Editorial Policies * Accessibility * Help * Contact Us * About the ABC * Privacy Policy * Terms of Use * © 2024 ABC * * * * *[m ]: \"minutes\"
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck appeared at a Senate Select Committee on COVID19 on many many occasions