Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Mental Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Nash. I refer to the example given by Associate Professor Owler, the President of the AMA, of a young woman with a breast lump who needs a biopsy for diagnosis. Can the minister confirm that out-of-pocket costs could rise to at least $63 over nine visits as a consequence of co-payments for GPs, radiology and pathology adding up? Does the minister agree that the imposition of a $7 GP tax will increase costs and could deter women from accessing an often life-saving early diagnosis?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can again indicate to the chamber that I am well aware that there have been a range of commentary on the budget around the health measures since the budget was introduced. I know that there have been a range of comments around the changes to some of the current charges for healthcare provision. I have indicated to the chamber on several occasions that those decisions have been made because of the necessity to have a sustainable health system into the future. That is the priority for this government. Unlike those opposite, we do not believe—

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

Mr President, I raise a point of order on direct relevance. The minister did hear the question. It was specifically related to the comments from Associate Professor Owler. I have taken time to make this point of order and I ask you to draw the minister's attention to the particular question.

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

The minister still has one minute and 12 seconds remaining to address the question that was asked of her. I am listening closely to the minister's answer. The minister should address the question.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have indicated to the chamber that I am very well aware of those comments. I have indicated to the chamber that there has been a change in arrangements for the Medicare payments because of the need to ensure a sustainable health system into the future. I will continue to answer—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, on the point of order: direct relevance is the point of order. The question is about whether a woman would be deterred from accessing life-saving early diagnosis in the case of suspected breast cancer. It is a very serious question. The minister should return to the answer.

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

At the one minute 12 mark remaining in the question I did draw the minister's attention to the question. The minister has 54 seconds remaining to address the question.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Are you going to continue to make light of this?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition would well know that I certainly am not making light of this. The Leader of the Opposition just asked me if I am going to continue to make light of this. The answer to that is clearly no, because I am not making light of it in the first place. I am answering the question.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You can deal with the consequences of your policy!

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Senators on my right and left! Order!

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President, and I will also take the most recent interjection from the Leader of the Opposition, saying that we have to deal with the consequences of our policy. The consequences of the previous Labor government policy is an unsustainable health system. If this government does not make the changes to the policy, our children and their children will be paying for it for decades.

Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Mental Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I refer to a common scenario, given by Associate Professor Owler, of patients on the anti-clotting medication warfarin who may not always fall under the 10-visit concession cap. Associate Professor Owler says that when patients go on warfarin they usually need a large number of visits to determine whether their blood is too thin or thin enough for this treatment. Isn't it true that with a $7 GP tax this could add up to hundreds of dollars for this life-saving treatment?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am well aware of Professor Owler's comments on this. Those opposite would be well aware of the changes in financial arrangements and would know the answer to that question. I do not have anything further to add.

Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Mental Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Given the AMA has described the co-payment as 'unfair and unnecessary' and 'poor health policy', does the minister agree that introducing a $7 GP tax undermines the principle of preventive health and will hurt those who need our support the most?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What I agree with is making sure that we have a sustainable health system into the future. What I agree with is making sure we have a strong economy. What I agree with is making sure we get the budget back on track. We have indicated to the chamber why this has been a tough budget, and this government have indicated very clearly why those changes have been made. We are going to ensure a sustainable health system into the future and we will make sure that we improve health outcomes for all Australians.