Kay Hull (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Yes, I am standing.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do appreciate that now. I was having difficulty; I apologise.

Kay Hull (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Is the minister aware of the New South Wales government’s proposal to impose an $8 million blood tax on private patients? Minister, given that the collection and supply of blood on a national basis is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the states with taxpayers’ money, will the minister condemn this unilateral action by her New South Wales counterparts to cover their own financial ineptitude by making private patients pay twice for blood?

Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. I know that she is very interested in a range of health issues, particularly in her electorate. I join with her in being extremely worried about these reports. When the news was first conveyed through the media that these steps were proposed to be taken in the New South Wales budget, I asked my department to urgently remind the New South Wales government that there is an agreement with the Commonwealth and all states and territories that blood products will be provided free of charge. I have today written to my colleague Mr Della Bosca to ask whether the reports are in fact correct that these are the intended measures. I confess to you that the budget papers do not make it apparent whether these reports are accurate or not but we certainly are very concerned and we will be making sure that the agreement that is already signed onto by all jurisdictions will be adhered to.