Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Ludwig. Given the decision by the opposition in the Senate yesterday to defeat the government’s private health insurance amendment bill, can the minister outline to the Senate how this has put future health reform at risk?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I missed part of that because of injections on my left.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will repeat the question, Mr President. Given the decision by the opposition in the Senate yesterday to defeat the government’s private health insurance amendment bill—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The time for debating this is at the end of question time. I need to hear the question.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thought they might want to jump in straight away.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Moore, just continue.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given the decision by the opposition in the Senate yesterday to defeat the government’s—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It becomes impossible for me when I cannot hear the question that is coming out. It is just impossible.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given the decision by the opposition in the Senate yesterday to defeat the government’s private health insurance amendment bill, can the minister outline to the Senate how this has put future health reform at risk?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I hear that those opposite do not like the question. I note that Senator Moore has a significant interest in the government’s commitment to reforming the health system. The proposed means testing of the private health insurance rebate would have made our health system fairer and more sustainable for the future.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ludwig, resume your seat. I have no intention of proceeding until there is silence.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The resolve of those opposite to neglect an area in urgent need of reform means that vital changes will be brought to a standstill. After 12 years of doctor shortages, nurse shortages and bed shortages, Mr Malcolm Turnbull and the opposition are still lagging when it comes to improving the health of all Australians.

This government is working towards building a world-class health system. We know that reforming the system to deliver the care we need to improve and extend lives will be expensive and difficult—and, of course, those opposite do not want to assist in that process—but we are making the difficult decisions necessary to build a better health system for all Australians. This morning the member for North Sydney, Mr Hockey, said he would cut $14 billion in government spending, but last night his party, those opposite, blew a $1.9 billion hole in the budget. This shows that Mr Hockey does not have the nerve to make the tough decisions. He wants to cut spending instead. He has just raised it by almost $2 billion. We will bring the bill back. It will be fairer for all Australians. This measure will not affect singles. (Time expired)

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister explain to the Senate how the proposed means testing of the private health insurance rebate would affect private health insurance coverage?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her supplementary question.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Evans and Senator Abetz, it is very difficult for me to hear the answer that is being given when you two are debating across the chamber. It is completely disorderly. Senator Ludwig is entitled to be heard in silence.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know those opposite do not agree with the direction of our health policy, but they could help. After more than 12 years of neglect one would think that those opposite would want to assist in improving our health system, quite frankly. They have been complacent towards the Australian health system.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Abetz and Senator Fifield, there has been too much interjecting. It needs to cease.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Treasury estimates that, under the measures blocked in this chamber yesterday, 99.7 per cent of people will retain their hospital cover. This will not have a significant effect on demand for public hospital services—on the premiums of the 9.7 million people with private health insurance. The President of the AMA agrees. On Meet the Press on 7 June this year, Dr Andrew Pesce said:

The AMA has had some modelling done itself by Access Economics, and this would show that there isn’t going to be a huge drop-out at this stage …

(Time expired)

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister inform the Senate how the $2 billion hole in the health budget will affect future options for new policy and approaches in the health area, most especially in preventative health measures?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What we have seen this week with the opposition is a total lack of concern and regard for our health system. This measure would have saved nearly $2 billion—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The conversation that is going on between Senator Minchin and Senator Faulkner should cease. It is very hard for me to hear.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This measure would have saved nearly $2 billion for investment in new areas of health reform and health care. The health reform commission report released on 27 July 2009 put the most comprehensive reforms on the table since the establishment of Medicare—

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health Administration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Have you made a decision on that? Is there a government decision?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and last week the Preventative Health Taskforce report made 35 recommendations to address obesity, alcohol and tobacco issues. This report should be guiding reforms to a health system that is becoming unsustainable after the 12 long years of neglect of the previous government.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health Administration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You haven’t made one single decision. Tell us one decision you made.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cormann, you are starting to test my patience.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He is not testing mine. He is obviously not interested in health reform. We are trying to support the sorts of measures that I mentioned that will have an impact on the budget, but those opposite want to— (Time expired)