Senate debates

Wednesday, 30 November 2016

Motions

Dental Services

3:43 pm

Photo of Richard Di NataleRichard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) recognises that:

  (i) the cost of visiting a dentist has been consistently shown to create a significant barrier for Australians seeking dental care, particularly for those experiencing the greatest disadvantage, and

  (ii) poor oral health has significant health impacts, including increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke;

(b) notes the:

  (i) impending expiry, on 31 December 2016, of funding to the states and territories for public dental services via the National Partnership Agreement on Adult Public Dental Services (the NPA), and

  (ii) Government's failure to outline an alternative plan to ensure that this funding does not dry up – putting patients at risk; and

(c) calls on the Government to:

  (i) urgently put in place arrangements to ensure that the crucial funding to states and territories for public dental services is maintained beyond 31 December 2016, and

  (ii) end its attack on public dental services by finally giving up on its failed plan to cut the Child Dental Benefits Schedule which provides Medicare-funded dental care to children in lower income families.

Question agreed to.