Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

I do. I think in his heart of hearts the member for Clark knows our health and aged-care system is an integrated ecosystem. When bulk-billing is not working and when people are paying too much for medicines, they don't fill the scripts their doctors have said are important and they don't go to the GP when they need to, and the member for Clark knows that means they end up in hospital far more regularly than they should. That's why addressing pressure in primary care—making medicines cheaper—is not just good for the hip pocket; it's good for the health of millions of Australians who get the health care when and where they need it in the community.

There is no better example of our reform and its connection to the hospital system than our 90 urgent care clinics—two of which are located in the member for Clark's electorate—which have already seen more than two million Australians, most of whom say that if they weren't able to go to that clinic they would end up at the emergency department. I know the member for Clark is passionate about this. I agree there are pressures. I entirely reject the idea that we're not a government of bold reform. (Time expired)

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