Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Health has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) to (3) There are established time frames for responding to ministerial correspondence within the Department of Health and Ageing (see attachment A). Every effort is made to respond in a timely manner noting that complex issues and cross portfolio issues may require additional time.

The issue raised in Senator Abetz's letter is a cross portfolio issue between the Department of Health and Ageing and the Department of Human Services and it required consultation between those two agencies to determine who was best placed to respond.

(4) The Australian Government considers access to affordable, high quality oral health care for all Australians of importance, particularly for low income earners and disadvantaged people. While the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme provides services for some parts of the population, it is not well targeted to assist those Australians most in financial need. The Government intends to close the scheme to put in place more appropriate policies.

Attachment A