Josh Dolega (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When I talk to Tasmanians about the cost of living, I hear directly that managing the cost of medicines has been a real issue for them. Whether it's treating their child's illness or managing chronic pain or chronic conditions like diabetes or arthritis, these stories are why I'm so stoked that this week our National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025 passed the parliament.

The PBS was introduced by Labor in the 1940s and remains a cornerstone of our health system. Under this Labor government, PBS scripts will be capped at $25 from 2026, down from $31.60 and the lowest it's been since 2004. Cheaper medicines are especially important for Tasmanians as our health outcomes lag behind those of the rest of the country. Chronic illnesses are more prevalent, particularly diabetes and kidney disease. Joe O'Malley, a highly respected community pharmacist and Tasmanian Branch President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, sees the impact firsthand. Based in the north-west, Joe is a trusted voice in the community and is a strong advocate for affordable medicines. Joe says:

Cheaper Medicines will make a big difference for my patients on the north west coast. I've got several patients who need multiple medicines each week. Capping these costs means they can make better choices for their health. There's been a lot of cost-of-living pressure on Tasmanians recently. This is a real way to ease those pressures.

Federal Labor are committed to family health, and that's why we've reduced the PBS safety-net thresholds by 25 per cent. We've cut the costs of scripts. We've introduced 60-day scripts, and we've frozen costs for the first time in 25 years, and we've locked in the freeze. (Time expired)