Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) | Hansard source

I don't accept the premise of the question, because government spending on health actually does contribute to the cost that would otherwise be on Australians with regard to the health system. That's why we continue to invest in world-leading drugs: to make sure that Australians can access them at cheaper prices. That's why we do that. We continue to list drugs, taking older ones off and putting new ones on, so Australians have access to the best possible drugs at a reduced price so that they don't have to pay so much for their health. That's why we continue to invest so heavily in the public health system. If they can't have access to private health services, they can access it publicly through the public health system. That's why we continue to invest. That's why the Australian government's investment in the public health system is so important for them. It does contribute to lowering costs for Australians in accessing Australia's world's best health system.