Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

When Labor was last in power, they reversed coalition policy to list all medicines approved by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. In February 2011, the Gillard government deferred the listing of seven medicines and vaccines on the PBS and the national immunisation program. Labor also introduced the requirement that all medicines recommended by the PBAC be approved by cabinet prior to listing. Therefore, Bill Shorten and Kristina Keneally need to tell the people of Bennelong the truth: Labor stopped listing medicines approved by the PBAC in an attempt to cut costs. Labor's reckless approach to the PBS will put at risk jobs in all those pharmaceutical companies in Bennelong that are located at Macquarie Park.