House debates Questions without Notice
General Practice
Ms Catherine King Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health
2:00 pm
My question is to the Minister for Health—thank you for joining us. Will the health minister be introducing a value signal for visits to general practice?
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Members:
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Did the honourable the Minister for Health hear the question? I did not hear the question. If we could have some silence, the member could ask her question again—and I mean silence!
Ms Catherine King Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health
My question is to the health minister. Will the health minister be introducing a value signal for visits to general practice?
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Health
2:01 pm
It is a pleasure to take my first question from the shadow minister for health. The shadow minister asked me about a value signal and I will say this: we value general practice; we value primary care; we value the role of the profession in providing a high-quality system for patients. As I have announced today, I am continuing my consultations with the professions to make sure we build a sustainable Medicare. One thing we do know is that Labor's policy of doing nothing is not an option. When we see how Medicare is growing—
Ms King interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There will be silence on my left! The member for Ballarat!
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Health
It is very difficult, Madam Speaker, when the member asks me a question but does not appear to want to listen to the answer.
Ms Macklin interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Jagajaga! We will have some silence for the answer!
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Health
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
If the noise keeps up, we will have some people leaving!
Ms King interjecting—
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Health
May I remind the shadow minister—
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Health
Medicare was built on three principles: universal in coverage, equitable in distribution of costs and simple to administer. The coalition's consultations are based on three key areas: keeping Medicare universal in coverage—
Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Gorton will leave under 94(a).
The member for Gorton then left the chamber.
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Health
equitable in distribution of costs and simple to administer.
Ms Catherine King Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health
Madam Speaker, I have a point of order, on relevance. Are you introducing a value signal, yes or no?
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member will resume her seat. It is not a point of order to simply stand up and repeat the question. Quite clearly, there seems to be a determination to make enough noise to make it impossible for questions to be heard and the answers to be heard.
Mr Dreyfus interjecting—
That includes the member for Isaacs. That noise will simply not be tolerated and, if several people have to leave, so be it.
Mr Albanese interjecting—
And that includes the member for Grayndler.
Mr Albanese interjecting—
Do not answer back!
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Health
I remind members opposite that it is important for all members in this House to recognise those three principles on which Medicare was built and that we should all work together to keep Medicare sustainable. That is why we remain the best friend that Medicare will ever have, because we understand that universal coverage, equitable distribution in costs and simplicity in administration from time to time may need to be managed, modernised, consulted with, appreciated and built into the future. That is what my consultations are doing. I understand that the shadow minister is looking for good ideas—
Ms Collins interjecting—
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for Health
I understand the shadow minister must be looking for good ideas because, so far, I have not seen one single idea from the Labor Party about health.
Ms Owens interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Parramatta will leave under 94(a).
The member for Parramatta then left the chamber.