Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

The Narcotic Drugs (Licence Charges) Amendment Bill 2022 supports the Commonwealth's effective recovery of the costs associated with the administration of licences for Australia's medical cannabis industry, amending the Narcotic Drugs (Licence Charges) Act 2016 to bring the fees and charges framework in line with reforms introduced by the former coalition government last year. The coalition simplified the medicinal cannabis licensing framework in response to the McMillan review's recommendations to streamline the sector. The independent review conducted by Professor John McMillan was commissioned by the coalition and resulted in 26 recommendations for improving the medical cannabis licensing and permits frameworks in Australia. The coalition agreed in principle to adopt all 26 recommendations. We understood that cutting red tape and streamlining processes will strengthen the important and evolving industry in Australia and ensure the availability of medical cannabis to Australian patients under proper medical supervision.

Implementing the key recommendation of the review, we introduced amendments to replace the original three-licence model under the medical cannabis regulatory scheme with a single-licence structure. The activities relating to the administration of the medicinal cannabis regulatory scheme are funded through cost-recovery arrangements consistent with the Australian government's charging framework. As a result of the introduction of the simplified licence structure, changes to the fees and charges framework have become necessary to better align these arrangements with the new licence model. These changes were flagged by the McMillan review, which stated that the introduction of a simplified licence structure meant 'the scale of fees and charges would need to be tailored to the range of activities encompassed by a particular application and licence'. This bill seeks to continue the coalition's work of streamlining the medical cannabis industry by implementing these necessary changes to the fees and charges framework.

In stark contrast to the coalition's reform in this area, Labor has been unfortunately inconsistent and unclear in their policy when it comes to the safeguards around medicines and the role of regulation. We haven't forgotten that, in 2017, Labor voted in the Senate with the Greens to remove important TGA safeguards. Labor also shredded the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme when they were last in government, deferring many listings of critical medicines.

Now we're already seeing a concerning pattern of behaviour in the Albanese government's decisions on health. They have ended free rapid antigen tests for concession card holders and the supply to aged-care homes, and they were forced to backflip, after a costly delay, on cutting the pandemic leave disaster payment. The Albanese government has also cut more than 70 telehealth consultations, despite rising cost-of-living pressures. This cut has meant that since 1 July 2022 vulnerable Australians have no longer been able to access important COVID related telehealth items, including phone consultations that are over 20 minutes, restricting the availability of essential healthcare advice, particularly for vulnerable and regional Australians. In doing so, the government has gone against the advice of key stakeholders and experts, including the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Finalising the coalition's reform to streamline Australia's medical cannabis regulatory scheme through this bill is one positive decision after a long line of concerning steps taken by the Albanese government. In this place, and in the other chamber, the coalition will ensure Labor is subject to scrutiny when it comes to the commitments that they have made on health reform and the lack of transparent decision-making they have shown when it comes to their own policies. We will hold them to account for all of the election commitments that they have promised to the Australian people, because all Australians deserve access to Australia's world-class healthcare system and the critical medicines that we all rely on. I thank the House.

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