Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

People listening to this debate could be forgiven for thinking that we are somehow caught in parallel universes here. Members opposite are stuck in the Medicare denial phase, having lost seat after seat after seat in the last election, which was fought very much on this issue around access and equity in health, an issue that members opposite had failed to grasp. The member for Bowman recounted how this was all about people abusing a system—oversupply, overservicing of areas.

We on this side of the House have no trouble in believing the studies that have been done year after year alerting us to the growing inequality in our communities in accessing quality health care. It is no surprise to members on this side of the House. Those opposite might note that we have grown in number quite substantially since we were last here. Each of us were out there campaigning with our community members on what it means to them to have access to quality health care, a universal healthcare system that was designed by Labor. The member for Makin made the point earlier that it was Labor that created Medicare. It is Labor that will always stand up to protect Medicare, because we get what it means to have universal health care. We get what it means to make sure that every single Australian, regardless of their wealth, regardless of their postcode, has access to quality medical advice and assistance when they need it.

It is regrettable that members opposite swallowed the Prime Minister's dummy spit on election night. It suggests that no lessons have been learnt by members opposite. It suggests that you subscribe to the Prime Minister's view that: 'There is nothing to see here. We are not really continuing to slash Medicare.' We knew that happening throughout the election campaign. The Prime Minister has had eight weeks to reflect on some of the lessons he might have learnt from that election period. Yesterday in question time he had an opportunity to come to the dispatch box and point out what cuts he has taken off the table. But what did we get? Absolutely nothing. Actions always speak louder than words in this House.

In my electorate of Newcastle, people are suffering with regard to access to doctors. Indeed, GPs in my electorate are increasingly worried about the impact on the health of our community members. They are worried about their ability to provide the quality medical advice and assistance they have always been able to provide. It is not unusual to hear about this. Constituents are coming to talk to me about the signs that are appearing in GP clinics. I suspect everybody on this side of the House has seen the signs that doctors have put up in GP clinics referring to the Medicare freeze by this government.

And let's not pretend here. I have heard some interjections by those opposite that this was Labor's freeze in the first place. Labor did have a temporary freeze for a period. That came off, and this government put a new one on. Not only did they put a new one on; they extended it. So this is your freeze that you have to own totally. Our doctors have signs in their clinics saying that the GP freeze means they will not be able to bulk-bill as many patients as they currently do. In order to remain open and provide a service, they are having to increase their prices, which means an increase in out-of-pocket expenses for people coming through the door. There are gap charges of anywhere between $20 and $40 to see a doctor in my community. That is a financial obstacle that prevents large numbers of people in my community from accessing medical advice and assistance when needed, as needed, as is their universal right—which you should be supporting. (Time expired)

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