The Federal Government will introduce compulsory background checks for people working with the elderly after more revelations of abuse in aged-care homes.

Minister for Ageing Santo Santoro said he would also consider enforcing mandatory reporting of suspected abuse of aged care residents after revelations of abuse at a southern Queensland centre.

Toowoomba resident June Small claims she was sent pornographic pictures of her 83 year old mother, who died in a hospital nine years ago.  The pornographic image was circulated in an email calendar.

Senator Santoro described the case as bizarre and shocking.  It has been the subject of a two year investigation, but police could not find the culprit.

The senator said he sympathised with the family but there was little more his department could do.  “The woman’s daughter has declined my offer to have the department investigate the matter,” he said.

Senator Santoro said he wanted to introduce police checks on staff working with aged care residents and develop a similar system to the “blue card” system in Queensland where childcare workers must have criminal history checks.

He said he wanted to consult industry about how a system of mandatory reporting would work and plans to discuss the issue with the Aged Care Advisory Committee.  The committee will also consider whistleblower protection and improving the complaints scheme.

Labour spokeswoman for ageing Jan McLucas said the response was inadequate and called for an independent inquiry.

“The Minister for Ageing has to understand the seriousness of these allegations and take decisive action now rather than holding a meeting three weeks after the first sexual abuse allegations became public,” she said