Senator COLBECK (Tasmania—Minister for Sport and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) (14:03): As I've already acknowledged, the COVID-19 global pandemic is having an impact on the health system here in Australia. It did that in Victoria last year, and we invoked the private hospital guarantee so that private hospitals could support the public health system in Victoria. We will take the appropriate measures in conjunction with the New South Wales government to support the public health system in New South Wales, just as we did in Victoria. The PRESIDENT: Senator Watt, on a point of order? Senator Watt: Mr President, I'm conscious of the time. We aren't even getting close to an answer to the actual question—so this is on relevance—'How many excess non-COVID deaths are expected as a result of higher case numbers?' The PRESIDENT: I take that point. You've restated the last part of that question. There was a substantial quotation from someone before that that talked about the stress on the hospital system—and I summarise it that way. I'm listening carefully to the minister, but I think he is addressing that part of the question. I've let you remind him of that part of the question. Senator COLBECK: I again acknowledge that there is stress on the system and that COVID-19 will continue to put stress on the system, but what we're doing is working with the states to ensure that there is capacity to support people with COVID to the extent that the private hospital guarantee ensures over 30,000 hospital beds additionally nationally, and the sector's 105,000 strong workforce is available to support the public health system to manage COVID. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Keneally, a final supplementary question?