Rebecca White's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-05T22:06:05+00:00
items: Early Childhood Education and Care | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
items: Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
items: Commonwealth Prac Payment | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
items: Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Lyons Electorate: My First Speech Competition | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Women's Health Week; Reference to Federation Chamber | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
items: Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Health and Aged Care Measures No. 4) Regulations 2024; Disallowance | Regulations and Determinations | House debates
items: Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders | Business | House debates
items: Moscow Olympic Games: Australian Team; Reference to Federation Chamber | Statements on Indulgence | House debates
items: Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Address-in-Reply | Governor-General's Speech | House debates
items: Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates

Early Childhood Education and Care | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to speak about the Albanese Labor government's commitment to early childhood education and, more specifically, what this commitment means for the families and communities in my...
encoded: I rise today to speak about the Albanese Labor government's commitment to early childhood education and, more specifically, what this commitment means for the families and communities in my electorate of Lyons. The Albanese Labor government believes that every child deserves access to the benefits of quality learning. The research and evidence are unequivocal: the early years are a vital time in a child's life and form the foundation for their physical, emotional, social, language and cognitive development. When we invest early, we set children up not just for school but for life. That belief is being realised on the ground in communities like Saint Marys, Bothwell and Westbury. Each of these towns will benefit from Labor's investment in new childcare centres. I acknowledge the advocacy of Tanya Greenwood, Kristy Scott, Rebecca Scarr, Janet Drummond, the Break O'Day Council and many more for providing the strong local leadership that helped secure $4 million in federal funding to build a new early learning centre in Saint Marys. This new centre will be co-located with the St Marys District School, supporting transitions and strong collaboration between early learning and kindergarten to year 12. What began 10 years ago as an effort to create more opportunities for local children quickly revealed something deeper—that expanding childcare access would also strengthen local businesses and local services and benefit the wider community. From 2027, a new 24-place early learning service will be built on the St Marys site, providing families with greater access to quality local early education at lower costs, while children are given the best possible start. I also want to turn to the community of Bothwell in the Central Highlands, where determination and grassroots advocacy have delivered an outcome that will make a real difference. Lisa, in Ouse, had to drive 144 kilometres every day to keep her son in temporary care in Brighton. That trip takes two hours each way. Anoth…
date: 2026-02-05T09:58:00+00:00

National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I am pleased to introduce the National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026. This bill expands the definition of vaccine...
encoded: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I am pleased to introduce the National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026. This bill expands the definition of vaccine in the National Health Act 1953 to enable new and emerging therapies to be listed on the National Immunisation Program. The government is committed to ensuring that Australians can access the most clinically effective products through the National Immunisation Program. This includes the provision of new and emerging therapies, such as immunising monoclonal antibodies. One example is Beyfortus, which protects children and babies from respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV—much easier to say. In 2025, there were 78,000 cases of RSV in young children. The virus can lead to serious chest infections in babies and also lead to long-term respiratory problems such as asthma that persist into adulthood. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has deferred a positive recommendation for Beyfortus because they are unable to recommend this product for inclusion under the NIP until the definition of a vaccine under the act is amended. Currently, new therapies are unable to be listed on the National Immunisation Program as they do not meet the current vaccine definition. Not listing new and emerging therapies will make it harder for Australians to access the health care that they need. Australians may miss out on innovative immunisation products that are readily available in other countries. Furthermore, not being able to list new and emerging therapies on the National Immunisation Program may lead to a fragmented approach in accessing these products nationwide. The bill will also contribute to the priority goals of the National Immunisation Strategy for Australia 2025-2030 which was released in June last year. Most notably, expanding the definition of vaccine will make a positive contribution to the strategy's priority areas of improving access to immunisation and to harness…
date: 2026-02-05T09:38:00+00:00

Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
type: item
description: Our government knows that some people across our country are doing it tough. That's why we're so focused on helping them responsibly, thoughtfully, deliberately. If you look at the statement that...
encoded: Our government knows that some people across our country are doing it tough. That's why we're so focused on helping them responsibly, thoughtfully, deliberately. If you look at the statement that was released by the RBA today, it talked about an increase in private demand. It didn't talk about government spending, which is the premise of the motion that we're debating here in this House today. That's a false premise, because what we know is that what our government is doing is helping Australians. Have a look at what our government inherited from the opposition. They left us inflation with a six in front of it and rising. Now it's much lower than that. They left us with higher spending, no savings and bigger deficits. They went to the election with a plan for bigger deficits and more debt and a plan to hike up taxes for every taxpayer to pay for nuclear reactors. And weren't they popular—particularly in my home state of Tasmania, which is renowned for and proud of its renewable energy efforts with hydro? The fact that you were taking a plan like that to the election went down like a lead balloon. We are focused on the cost of living; they are focused on themselves. We're focused on turning two budget deficits around and making them budget surpluses. Wages have come up. Unemployment is down compared to what we inherited, and our government is focused on supporting Australians dealing with the cost-of-living issues that they are facing. And we are serious about that—not just empty statements from the Leader of the Opposition about a plan. What plan? The opposition doesn't have a plan. They haven't even got a plan to reconcile with their former coalition partners. It's false promises from the Leader of the Opposition. I think it's important to put it in context. Look at the decade of the former coalition government and think about that decade as a lost decade, a decade of cuts and neglect. They left the country with structural deficits, wages stagnating, a housing cris…
date: 2026-02-03T15:55:00+00:00

Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: I rise on the motion before the House and echo many of the sentiments already expressed by fellow members. Like members across this chamber, I want to honour the memory of the 15 innocent people...
encoded: I rise on the motion before the House and echo many of the sentiments already expressed by fellow members. Like members across this chamber, I want to honour the memory of the 15 innocent people who were killed in that violent antisemitic attack of 14 December. I acknowledge the injuries physical and psychological suffered by many others and extend my support to their families, friends and colleagues, whose lives have been permanently altered. I pay tribute to the first responders and medical staff who acted with professionalism and courage in circumstances no-one should have to face. And I recognise the acts of heroism and bravery, big and small, from ordinary people who put themselves in danger to help others. Events is like these stop us in our tracks. They intrude into ordinary life and remind us how suddenly the safety so many of us take for granted can be taken away. For many Australians, Bondi is not an abstract place. For some it's home. It's where they work, send their kids to school and spend time with friends and family. It's where they celebrate religious holidays. For others it's an icon, one of the most recognisable symbols of what it means to live in Australia. That familiarity and symbolism is part of what makes the attack so confronting. The other part, of course, is the fact that the perpetrators deliberately targeted Jewish Australians, a people who have suffered so much already and who are now once again forced to carry fear and grief simultaneously. The sheer cruelty of what those men did—the calculated evil, the unthinkable targeting of Australia's Jewish community, who were peacefully celebrating together—has left a deep impression on the soul of our country. On behalf of all my constituents in Lyons, I extend our condolences to the Jewish community, to the people of Bondi and to everyone affected. For Tasmanians and especially for people in my electorate, this tragedy carries a particular weight. Almost 30 years ago, Port Arthur became synony…
date: 2026-01-19T19:40:00+00:00

Commonwealth Prac Payment | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
type: item
description: I rise on this matter of public importance and thank the honourable member for her contribution and for the work she did in the previous parliament to advocate for paid prac for these important...
encoded: I rise on this matter of public importance and thank the honourable member for her contribution and for the work she did in the previous parliament to advocate for paid prac for these important student placements. I am really proud to be a part of a government that on 1 July this year provided paid prac, made it a reality for the first time for students studying teaching, nursing, midwifery as well as social work, because we understand that we need to be able to support these students to learn the skills of a new career. A lot of the time they have been doing that and have not been paid for it and it has placed an enormous financial burden on them. We expect that with the support provided from 1 July this year that 68,000 eligible higher education and 5,000 VET students will complete their practical training each year, so we are talking about a significant cohort of students who will benefit from these changes. It is practical support for people while they are completing their practical training. These payments will help the students who need it most, by giving them the extra bit of financial support they need so they could focus on their studies, and we know that's important, because, for far too long, students just like the examples you gave have had to juggle work, study, care responsibilities and other commitments they have in their life, and it can sometimes mean that they don't complete their education, they don't complete their studies, and they don't go on to have the career that they dreamt of. No-one should have to choose, and that's why this first step on 1 July has been so important. We are starting with students studying teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work, which was recommended by the Australian Universities Accord. Almost every Australian will interact, at some point in their life, with a nurse, a teacher, a social worker or a midwife, and they are critical to the wellbeing of so many across our community. In 2025, the payment, which began on…
date: 2025-11-26T15:28:00+00:00

Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I second the motion and reserve my right to speak later.
encoded: I second the motion and reserve my right to speak later.
date: 2025-11-25T12:18:00+00:00

Lyons Electorate: My First Speech Competition | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: I'd like to take the opportunity today to speak on behalf of a group of remarkable young people who wrote to me as part of the My First Speech competition. Students from across the Derwent Valley...
encoded: I'd like to take the opportunity today to speak on behalf of a group of remarkable young people who wrote to me as part of the My First Speech competition. Students from across the Derwent Valley took the time to share their ideas for making our community stronger, fairer and more vibrant. From horseriders to skaters and musicians to future business owners, these young Tasmanians are showing us what it means to dream big for rural and regional Tasmania. Ella and Sophie raised concerns about litter and pollution along the Derwent river and our bush tracks. They see the beauty of our region and they want to protect it for generations to come. Cooper asked for a bigger skate park in New Norfolk because he knows that, when young people have places to gather safely, communities thrive. Jaidah called for more jobs for young people, not just for spending money but to help her family and learn independence. That's the spirit of regional Tasmania—practical, hardworking and community minded. Olive suggested more after-school programs, from sport to art and sewing, to keep kids active and engaged. Adam and Billy thought big about the future of the Derwent Valley, imagining new industries and workplaces that create jobs locally while protecting the environment. Alex wrote about wanting more opportunities in New Norfolk—new places to work, eat and play and even dirt-bike tracks that could host events and bring people together. Emillia spoke with passion about learning. She wants more teachers and specialists in music, art and languages so kids in regional Tasmania have the same opportunities as kids elsewhere. These ideas show us that our young people are observant, thoughtful and proud of where they live. They're paying attention and they believe in the power of community to make things better. Their voices remind us that opportunity shouldn't be determined by where you grow up. Whether you live in the heart of Sydney, in Hobart or in the Derwent Valley, every child should be a…
date: 2025-10-27T10:57:00+00:00

Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The National Joint Replacement Registry is currently administered by the Australian Orthopaedic Association. The registry collects information...
encoded: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The National Joint Replacement Registry is currently administered by the Australian Orthopaedic Association. The registry collects information from all relevant hospitals in Australia to define, improve and maintain the quality of care of individuals receiving joint replacement surgery. The Australian Orthopaedic Association receives funding to operate the registry through a Commonwealth grant agreement. The cost of the grant is efficiently recovered through the imposition of a levy on sponsors of joint replacement devices under the Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Act 2009. The purpose of the Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Amendment Bill 2025 is to provide that the person responsible for payment of the levy under the act is the person specified in the rules made under section 8 of the act. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has always charged the levy consistent with the policy intent. That is, the person who is responsible for a medical device listed on the prescribed list of medical devices and human tissue products on the levy imposition day is responsible for paying the levy. Currently, the act only recognises the person responsible at the time of the listing of a device, and not any subsequent person who is responsible for that listing over time due to business or other changes. Specifying the responsible person in the rules will allow limitations in the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 to be addressed. Provisions have been included to validate past levy collections. I commend the bill to the chamber. Debate adjourned.
date: 2025-09-04T11:00:00+00:00

Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That the bill be now read a second time. The Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No.1) Bill 2025 makes important changes to legislation within the health portfolio to...
encoded: I move: That the bill be now read a second time. The Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No.1) Bill 2025 makes important changes to legislation within the health portfolio to support our government's delivery of a stronger Medicare including more bulk-billing and thousands more doctors. Schedule 1 to the bill will amend the Health Insurance Act 1973 to make sure Medicare provider numbers can be allocated to new practitioners in a faster and more streamlined way. Amendments made by schedule 1 to the bill will enable the Chief Executive Medicare to approve the use of a computer program to make appropriate, non-discretionary decisions to allocate Medicare provider numbers. This will speed up the process of applying for a provider number, while all decisions to refuse a provider number would continue to be checked and authorised by the Chief Executive Medicare or their delegate. The bill will also validate previously issued Medicare provider numbers that were issued by a computer program. Overseas health professionals often face lengthy waits to receive their Medicare provider number. This delays them from commencing work in the Australian health system. In fact, the Independent Review of Australia's Regulatory Settings Relating to Overseas Health Practitioners, led by Robyn Kruk AO, reported that the wait time can be up to three months. Reducing the time it takes for Medicare provider numbers to be issued will help us grow our medical workforce sooner and start treating patients under Medicare quicker. Growing and supporting the health workforce is a priority for our government. Having the right workforce with the right skills in the right place is critical to the success of the government's agenda to strengthen Medicare. We are working with state and territory governments, education providers and regulators to implement the recommendations of the Kruk review. This will ease shortages in the health workforce by removing unnecessary barriers and expedit…
date: 2025-09-04T10:51:00+00:00

Women's Health Week; Reference to Federation Chamber | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That further statements in relation to Women's Health Week be permitted in the Federation Chamber. Question agreed to.
encoded: I move: That further statements in relation to Women's Health Week be permitted in the Federation Chamber. Question agreed to.
date: 2025-09-03T09:19:00+00:00

Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
encoded: by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
date: 2025-09-01T18:01:00+00:00

Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: Thank you to all members who've made a contribution on the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025. I've appreciated listening to everybody's...
encoded: Thank you to all members who've made a contribution on the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025. I've appreciated listening to everybody's speeches. I'd just sum up by saying that Australia has a world-class health system, largely thanks to the various health benefits schemes such as Medicare which help Australians pay for the health care that they need. We've heard lots of contributions today talking about how important Medicare is for our various electorates and, more importantly, the people who rely on access to great health care in our country. In 2023-24 payments for health benefits including medical services, pharmaceutical services and private health insurance rebates totalled at least $65.1 billion in Australia. The government is committed to protecting this investment and strengthening Medicare by improving the compliance framework that ensures its integrity. The government commissioned the independent review of Medicare integrity and compliance known as the Philip review in November 2022 to respond to concerns about the operation of the Medicare system. The Health Insurance Amendment (Professional Services Review Scheme) Act 2023 and the Health Insurance Amendment (Professional Services Review Scheme No. 2) Act 2023 made amendments in response to recommendations of the Philip review. This bill will support the integrity and sustainability of Medicare by addressing a range of issues to enable the department to conduct more efficient, timely and effective compliance activities. The bill will improve payment integrity by reducing the timeframe for making bulk-billed claims. The bill will allow investigative powers to be used consistently and effectively across all health systems and schemes, including Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and will improve the processes related to pharmacy approvals. The bill also makes several sensible amendments to the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to enhance the cap…
date: 2025-09-01T17:58:00+00:00

National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: You don't want to know!
encoded: You don't want to know!
date: 2025-08-27T11:35:00+00:00

Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Health and Aged Care Measures No. 4) Regulations 2024; Disallowance | Regulations and Determinations | House debates
type: item
description: Firstly, I would like to recognise the member for Kooyong and her deep expertise and professional background that she brings to this place, and I acknowledge that this is something of deep...
encoded: Firstly, I would like to recognise the member for Kooyong and her deep expertise and professional background that she brings to this place, and I acknowledge that this is something of deep interest to her. However, the government won't be supporting the disallowance, and I'll explain why. The motion moved by the member for Kooyong seeks to disallow item 12 of schedule 1 to the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Health and Aged Care Measures No. 4) Regulations 2024 made under the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997 on 24 October 2024. The item underpins the government's expenditure on Australia's onshore manufacturing capability and pandemic preparedness. The government supports transparency and accountability. In this instance, there are genuine reasons why the precise details of the agreement between Moderna and the Commonwealth must remain confidential. The fact is that the agreement between Moderna and the government secures more than just vaccines. In supporting the development of a domestic manufacturing capability, the arrangement promotes Australia's sovereign capability, resilience and pandemic preparedness; Australia's onshore production of vaccines using mRNA technology, a technology which was successful in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic; and the enhancement of Australia's research and manufacturing ecosystem and workforce to support our world-class capabilities to develop and produce the next generation of medical technology. The agreement is a part of a three-way 10-year arrangement, ending in 2032, between the Australian government, the Victorian government and Moderna. It is the reason why Australia is now one of the few countries in the world with an end-to-end mRNA vaccine manufacturing capability. Like other vaccines—and I think this point will be particularly relevant to the member for Kooyong—vaccines manufactured by Moderna and supplied under the agreement with government must be approved by the Therapeutic…
date: 2025-08-26T16:43:00+00:00

Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders | Business | House debates
type: item
description: On behalf of the Leader of the House, I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the private Members' business notice relating to the disallowance of...
encoded: On behalf of the Leader of the House, I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the private Members' business notice relating to the disallowance of item 12 of the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Health and Aged Care Measures No. 4) Regulations 2024 made under the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997 on 24 October 2024 and presented to the House on 4 November 2024, standing in the name of the Member for Kooyong, being called on immediately. Question agreed to.
date: 2025-08-26T16:13:00+00:00

Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I present the explanatory memorandum for this bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today, I introduce the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other...
encoded: I present the explanatory memorandum for this bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today, I introduce the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025. Australia has a world-class health system that offers affordable, high-quality, accessible health care to all Australians. This is due in large part to the various health benefit schemes—including Medicare and its programs—that help Australians pay for the health care they need. The government is committed to protecting and strengthening Medicare—and part of this is improving the compliance framework that ensures the integrity of these rebates. The Independent Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance undertaken by Dr Pradeep Philip, known as the Philip review, was commissioned by the government to respond to concerns about the operation of the Medicare system. In 2023, the Health Insurance Amendment (Professional Services Review Scheme) Act 2023 and the Health Insurance Amendment (Professional Services Review Scheme No. 2) Act 2023 made priority amendments in response to this review. This bill implements further improvements responding to Philip review recommendations. The bill implements a measure announced in the 2024-25 budget: reducing the timeframe during which Medicare claims for bulk-billed services can be made from two years to one year. Claims relating to bulk-billed services can currently be made up to two years after a health service has been provided. This change will improve payment integrity and reduce the number of incorrect and fraudulently submitted claims. This will have minimal impact on patients and practitioners, as most claims are already made within 12 months. There will be discretion to accept claims after that time, to ensure patients are not disadvantaged. Currently, a range of legislative provisions across health portfolio legislation are creating barriers to effective compliance activities, particularly when it comes to dete…
date: 2025-08-25T12:04:00+00:00

Moscow Olympic Games: Australian Team; Reference to Federation Chamber | Statements on Indulgence | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That further statements on indulgence on the Moscow 1980 Olympics be permitted in the Federation Chamber. Question agreed to.
encoded: I move: That further statements on indulgence on the Moscow 1980 Olympics be permitted in the Federation Chamber. Question agreed to.
date: 2025-07-30T18:17:00+00:00

Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
encoded: by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
date: 2025-07-30T12:50:00+00:00

Address-in-Reply | Governor-General's Speech | House debates
type: item
description: I would be kidding myself if I tried to pretend that standing here to give my first speech as the federal member for Lyons wasn't a little overwhelming, in part because I'm standing in the same...
encoded: I would be kidding myself if I tried to pretend that standing here to give my first speech as the federal member for Lyons wasn't a little overwhelming, in part because I'm standing in the same spot so many of my political heroes have stood and in part because of the weight of responsibility that comes with the knowledge that I'm here to be the voice for my electorate. But it's also because I know all too well how significant this opportunity is—to be a member of a Labor government with the capacity to make profound impact on the lives of people right across our country. I'm going to strive every day to make sure that I don't waste a moment, because I know that all the moments add up, and I can assure those of you who have never been there—that's most of my new colleagues here—that the opposition benches are not the place you want to be if you're serious about making a difference. Timing in politics is everything, and I plan to make the most of my time here. As I stand here and reflect upon my role in this House, I want to acknowledge the traditional and original owners of the land upon which we do our work, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, and pay my respect to elders past and present. I extend my acknowledgement to my home state of Lutruwita/Tasmania and to the Palawa people, who, despite the worst oppression and dispossession, endure and continue to share with us their story, language and cultural practice. It's a lesson in generosity that we benefit from as a nation. Tolerance, inclusion, respect and indeed kindness are attributes that make as all better people and a stronger community, and fundamental to the reason why I am here is community. When I was 18, I worked in hospitality, waiting tables and working in a bar while I was making my way through uni. I was working a shift one afternoon in a Hobart restaurant when I took the lunch order to a table and put the plate down in front of a man seated with a group of his friends. There were the usual friendly smi…
date: 2025-07-24T09:53:00+00:00

Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025 relates to the fees imposed on the pathology sector for certain categories of...
encoded: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025 relates to the fees imposed on the pathology sector for certain categories of pathology applications. This bill provides reforms for the current charging arrangements imposed on the sector for categories of accreditation applications. Under the Health Insurance Act 1973, pathology services must be rendered by or on behalf of an approved pathology practitioner (approved practitioner), in an accredited pathology laboratory (accredited laboratory) operated by an approved pathology authority (approved authority) to be eligible to receive Medicare benefits. Practitioners (pathologists) are required to sign an undertaking to the minister that they will comply with the requirements of the legislation and certain administrative arrangements. They must pay an acceptance fee to become an approved practitioner. Similarly, the proprietor of a laboratory must sign an undertaking and pay an acceptance fee to become an approved authority. Laboratory premises may be approved by the minister as an accredited laboratory following the submission of an application and relevant supporting documentation. This includes an accreditation assessment and payment of the accreditation fee once the premises are provided with an in-principle approval. The accreditation requirements impose obligations on approved practitioners, accredited laboratories and approved authorities to undertake to meet, or demonstrate compliance with, quality assurance standards for pathology services provided under Medicare. The Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) Act 1991 (pathology fees act) specifies the fees which must be paid for the acceptance, and approval of, applications for the approved practitioner, approved authority and accredited laboratory. This allows approved providers to be identified in the Services Australia billing system of Medicare eligible services. These fees were arbitrarily set to be b…
date: 2025-07-24T09:41:00+00:00