Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Di Natale for his question in relation to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. I will take that part of the question on notice in respect of what may or may not be with the Minister for Health and Ageing. I accept that the question is well meant. If it is with the minister for health then those matters of course will be addressed by the minister for health. The timing of the release, of course, is always a matter for government, subject to the minister for health's considerations.

But it is worth putting it in a broader frame. In 2012-13 PBS expenditure is expected to be $9.7 billion, an increase of around $500 million over 2011-12. That is the annual wage of something in the order of 5,200 nurses. These are significant decisions that have to be made. They have to be carefully considered by the minister for health— (Time expired)