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

I thank Senator Di Natale for his continued interest in antimicrobial resistance—commonly known as AMR—and drug resistant tuberculosis in Australia. The government is concerned about the emergence of organisms that are resistant to antibiotics and the implications they may have for healthcare delivery in the future.

The importance of the effective and sensible use of antibiotics was highlighted in the ABC Four Corners program, as mentioned by Senator Di Natale. The government is pursuing this goal through our investment in the National Prescribing Service, which provides independent advice on the quality and use of antibiotics. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare have taken the lead on this issue since 2006. The recent establishment of the Antimicrobial Resistance Subcommittee is a welcome partnership between experts and government and, as I understand it, the Minister for Health will be meeting with them on Wednesday to discuss this important issue. It is a matter that is certainly on the agenda for the health minister. The government remains committed. There is further work we can do in the region as well.

It is important to recognise that antimicrobial resistance—AMR—to antibiotics does delay or prevent recovery from infection and limits antibiotic treatment options. That is why the government has taken these necessary steps to look at this issue. Should I not raise the level of concern or alarm in the broader public, this is a matter that is and has been on the radar for some time. AMR has increased over time and it is regarded in the healthcare area— (Time expired)