Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Smith for the question. At least you have been able to ask that question today. I also acknowledge the work that you've done in your time, particularly in the last parliament, on investing in women's health and making sure that the women of Australia get a better deal when it comes to support for perimenopause and menopause—but also on the broader women's health policy that we took to the election.

For the first time, on 1 November—so on Saturday—Labor expanded bulk-billing incentives to all Australians, creating a new, additional incentive payment for practices that bulk-bill every patient, and, from this week, practices and GPs registering for the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program will equally share in the additional incentive payment of 12½ per cent. We know that women visit the GP more often and have higher out-of-pocket costs, but they will benefit from that big investment in bulk-billing.

Labor's women's health package is delivering what women have been asking for: better access, more choice and lower costs after years of their health issues being ignored and not addressed under the former government. The Albanese Labor government is working to reverse a decade of neglect of women's health with $792.9 million to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for women. Women have asked the government to take their health care seriously, and we have listened. These changes could save women and their families thousands of dollars across their lifetime, and, from 1 November, women will have better access to affordable contraceptive options, thanks to the Albanese government's landmark women's health package.

We know that one in 10 Australian women use a long-term contraceptive—compared to one in eight women in New Zealand, one in seven in Ireland and one in three in Sweden—so providing more contraceptive options will allow more choice for women.