John Forrest (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

There is no doubt when we are debating issues of people’s health we can all get involved. I listened carefully to the member for Hindmarsh’s contribution. He talked about people who are obviously very genuine Australians, and I would have many in my electorate as well. I would simply respond to the member for Hindmarsh by saying I came into this chamber in 1993 after a long period of neglect on this very issue and now, after being part of a strong government that has delivered, the situation for my constituents is a jolly sight better than it used to be. There will always be, as the Minister for Health and Ageing himself said, circumstances which do not meet people’s expected needs.

The shadow minister referred specifically to two issues. I had thought the MPI might have been on the broader subject of general health care but she focused on aged care and dental care. If I can again refer back to the period when I came to the parliament, the number of aged-care places for every 1,000 persons aged 70 or older was then about 70. It is now 108 places, with a target to be 113 places by 2011. One of the motivating circumstances prior to 1993 which caused me to think about coming to this chamber and getting it fixed and made better was the trauma that I had had with the placement in an aged-care facility of my own father. I can still hear my dear mum, bless her, saying, at one desperate family conference, ‘Son, someone’s got to go to Canberra to see if we can fix all this.’ I am quite pleased and proud to say that things are a jolly sight better. I think the shadow minister made reference to somebody in the Speaker’s electorate, which is immediately south of Mallee, the region I represent, so it is geographically the same. I have the largest number of aged-care places in my electorate of any member in this place. I think the number is 47. I also have the largest number of acute hospitals of any member in this place. The number is 23. That reflects the sparse, spread-out nature and the population centres of the north-west of Victoria. Given what used to be in 1993, I have to say that since 1996, when the coalition came to government, we have been progressively addressing all of the issues.

The particular issues which the shadow minister raised are no longer on my radar—I am more focused these days on planning for the future on infrastructure investment and the very serious need of water—except for the need for dental care. It is a little frustrating—not part of the blame game but a historical reality—that the Commonwealth will have to play a greater role in the provision of dental care. That has been recognised in this year’s budget with access to a first consultation with a dentist funded by Medicare. If there are urgent medical reasons related to diet et cetera, there is support available for up to $2,000. This amount will not cover the cost of technicians for dentures, and that is a delicate issue.

I often say to my constituents, ‘You can get access to a dentist immediately, provided you are privately insured.’ As a privately insured person, I have had no trouble getting access to a dentist. There is a prospering economy in my constituency. The argument that there is no access to dentists—access can be provided if a person is privately insured—has to be put in context of the debate, especially given the incentives that the government put in place for people to privately insure.

On the broader subject of people’s health across the nation, I have a 20-page document of successive initiatives by the government since 1996 to address those needs which are consistent with the budget process. It is worth reflecting that the Minister for Health and Ageing often refers to the fact that, since 1996, this government has been the best friend that Medicare has ever had. In the electorate of Mallee, the bulk-billing participation rate is one of the highest and is in excess of 80 per cent. With additional incentives in the budget for rural GPs to bulk-bill, their incomes have increased substantially. The GP income from Medicare has increased, on average, across the nation from $195,000 in 2002 to well over $300,000.

There is also an improvement in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. We had not been in government all that long, but I remember the days when there was a long list of people waiting for medications through the PBS. The list is shorter now. There are newer medications these days. The outcome of research and development of pharmaceuticals is that the latest medication is available, whether it is the latest treatment for prostate cancer or treatment for any of the huge variety of cancers. In earlier days, these medications should have been on the PBS. The PBS budget has increased over the past 11 years by 600 to 700 per cent. It is a very significant budget item and is funding important medications for people.

I turn now to aged care. In my rural constituency, standards in aged-care facilities, even in small facilities, are improving in the number and quality of beds available. Of the 47 aged-care places I mentioned, many have only 10 aged-care beds, but they are associated with a rural hospital; therefore access for professional support services is nearby and available. Occasionally there is someone waiting for a placement in their home town and there is a bed available within a 20- to 30-minute ride to the next town. I occasionally get representations about that, but ultimately I find that it is not long before they are placed in their home town where their friends and family are located and they are provided with that important support.

There are also a plethora of services provided by the government for allied health and support. I am delighted to see that in-home support being provided. It is a fact that elderly people would prefer to be in their own home, surrounded by their life memorabilia and memories. They are in a much better spiritual and emotional state when they are in their own home. There has been a staggering increase of 700 per cent in the number of community care packages in my constituency and there is an enormous benefit in that.

I recognise that there is always somebody who is not entirely happy because their loved one has been placed in a nearby town and they want them placed in their own town. If there is a bed available and the aged care assessment team has decided that institutional care is needed as the person concerned is no longer able to stay at home, then at least they are getting the care needed. They will then wait for a geographical place that supports them better and is better for family, friends and loved ones.

I refute the intention of this matter of public importance today. I recognise that there is more to do in the area of dental health. I am pleased the government has picked up responsibility for it. We have got over the issue of expecting the states to do it, because quite clearly they do not want to. (Time expired)

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