Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing. Minister, people across the country are struggling to access affordable health care right now. Out-of-pocket costs are continuing to rise, and community healthcare centres, including cohealth in Victoria, are closing their doors. Minister, why are community healthcare centres closing under Labor state and federal governments?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Steele-John, for the question. I am actually very pleased to speak about the approach that this government is taking to restoring the strength and the availability of Medicare funded services because I think, as everyone in this chamber will understand, it was a key focus for us in the last term of government, and it is an even bigger focus for us this time. You asked about the decision by cohealth, and we consider this decision deeply disappointing. It seems that cohealth have got themselves into a difficult financial situation. That is very concerning, especially for the local community that they serve. The finance, the governance, of cohealth is the responsibility of that board, and I am disappointed that they find themselves in this position. I understand that we have requested that the board reconsider its position.

But, more broadly, Senator, of course we intend to invest in Medicare, of course the $8½ billion package we are bringing forward will make a difference and it will be a focus for this government each and every day.

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

Senator Steele-John, first supplementary?

Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Many in our community need longer appointments to get wraparound care for complex health conditions, yet the government refuses to lift rebates to support this model of care. Minister, when will your government listen to GPs and lift the rebate for longer consultations?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, of course, the government is making very substantial investments to increase the availability of Medicare bulk-billed services. These investments, in fact, commence on 1 November, and we expect to see a significant increase in the availability of bulk-billed services in that time.

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

Senator Steele-John, second supplementary?

Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

() (): Many in the community will find that kind of response frustrating, given that we know that longer consultations are the reality of what is required from so many general practitioners—particularly for mental health consultations, which are the overwhelming majority of consults done by GPs now. Will Labor commit to properly funding community healthcare centres, like cohealth in Victoria, so that they can continue to provide the care that is needed? (Time expired)

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator. As I indicated in my response to your primary question, increasing the availability of bulk-billed services and improving the access of Australians to universal health care is a core focus for this government, and very important initiatives commence on 1 November.