Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fielding for the question. Part of the answer relates to that which is delivered through the various state and private health industry sectors. When you depack the question—and I may have to see if I can get some assistance when the supplementary question is asked—is it about the government’s responsibility in terms of the provision of the amalgam or the types of fillings that various dentists may use, and that I am sure many use on a commercial basis, and whether those particular metals are permissible in terms of importation, which then is more likely to be a customs issue? Alternatively, is the question about whether or not there is a requirement for certain fillings to be used with certain types of matters, which then comes within a dental area?

Unlike the previous government, which took a view that dental matters should be implemented as I understand it by the states themselves, this government has looked at how we can use COAG to ensure that we can provide commitments in this area. We committed $290 million to the CDHP during the election. The government also committed to shutting down the poorly targeted Medicare chronic disease scheme. Further, the Medicare Teen Dental Plan, an election commitment of some $490.7 million over five years to improve the oral health of teenagers, has delivered 565,399 check-ups. That is what this government has done in this area. (Time expired)