Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question because he is such a relentless advocate for better and more affordable services in his community in the ACT, and he tells me very regularly, as do the other members for this territory, that it's never been harder to see a doctor than it is right now and it's never been more expensive. Theirs is exactly the message that we're receiving across the country. I think, if members opposite were honest, they'd be saying their constituents were telling them that, as a result of nine years of cuts to and neglect of Medicare, and particularly the Medicare rebate freeze that went on for six long years, general practice is in the most parlous state it has been in for 40 years. Where Australians have to pay gap fees, those gap fees have skyrocketed. More Australians than ever before are having to reach into their own pocket when they see a GP. For the first time—

Thank you. I'm just getting some fashion advice from the Leader of the Opposition—to do my jacket up.

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