Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Gallagher. The Albanese Labor government made a commitment to the Australian people that it would strengthen Medicare so that Australians can access medical care whenever they need it. Could the minister please update the Senate on the delivery of this critical commitment and how it is supporting Australians at a time of increased cost-of-living pressures?

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

I thank Senator Grogan for the question and for her focus on health care and Medicare, which is something that I know every Australian holds dear to their heart. We went to the election promising we would make it easier and cheaper to see a doctor, and we are delivering on that promise with the biggest investment in bulk-billing in the 40-year history of Medicare. It'll make it easier for more than 11 million Australians to see a bulk-billing doctor—because we know that, over a decade of cuts to and neglect of Medicare under the former government, bulk-billing rates declined sharply. Because of our government's actions, it will be easier for five million children and their families and for seven million pensioners and other concession card holders to find a bulk-billing doctor. Together, these patients account for around three out of the five visits to general practice.

In our major cities, a doctor will get 34 per cent more for a standard bulk-billed consultation of under 20 minutes, taking the Medicare payment for eligible patients to over $60. In regional and rural Australia, a doctor will get around 50 per cent more for the same visit, taking the Medicare payment to between $70 and just over $80, depending on the location.

Doctors themselves have called this a game changer. We've heard from doctors across the country that this will allow them to bulk-bill their patients. Whether they're a family in Brisbane, a pensioner in Geraldton or a concession card holder in the Hunter Valley, they will all get bulk-billed care, thanks to this multibillion dollar investment. All they'll need to do is show their Medicare card.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Stop telling lies!

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

This is part of our government's commitment to strengthen Medicare—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. Senator Wong?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask Senator Ruston to withdraw that.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

This is all part of our government's commitment to strengthen Medicare and address the cost-of-living crunch.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Grogan, a first supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you to the minister for that response. It is truly a significant leap forward. I am also aware of the important role urgent-care clinics are playing in relieving demands on our hospital system. Could the minister please provide an update on the rollout of the urgent-care clinics?

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

Yes, I can. Thank you, Senator Grogan. These urgent-care clinics are already proving to be a massive success, taking pressure off emergency departments, open seven days a week, with extended hours. They're bulk billed, and all patients need is their Medicare card. A total of 38 are open, out of 58. There have been more than 60,000 presentations to Medicare urgent-care clinics. Across the country this represents an estimated potential saving to public hospital EDs of more than $15.8 million in patient episodes.

Across the country nearly a third of patients have been under 15 years of age. Nearly a third of visits have taken place on weekends, and on weekdays more than one in five visits have taken place after six o'clock. Urgent-care clinics are already, in their early days, serving local communities across Australia, and they're all going to be open by the end of this year.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Grogan, a second supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister please further outline the impact that recent changes to bulk billing are having on improving access to health care for millions of Australians as part of the government's commitment to strengthening Medicare?

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

It is interesting that Senator Ruston has a lot to say about Medicare now. It's a shame she didn't have as much to say about it when they were actually in government—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

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

and we are dealing with the consequences of their failure to invest in Medicare—a lot of opinions now, not so many opinions when in government; didn't do a thing, other than driving primary health care into the crisis position that we inherited and that we are now turning around, with the help of the GP workforce.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ruston, I've called order in the chamber, and that applies to you.

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

The tripling of the bulk billing incentive, the biggest investment in bulk billing in the history of Medicare, is already making a difference. Dr Michael Clements, a GP from Magnetic Island, has said: 'Thank you very much for the tripling of the bulk billing incentive. It has made a difference and we've actually returned from private billing children and pensioners to bulk billing them, because it's a significant difference.'

We understand that those opposite hate Medicare, they hate bulk billing, they hate strengthening Medicare, but this is something this government takes seriously. (Time expired)