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

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing. Yesterday the Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, revealed on the ABC that, if GPs cannot afford to fully bulk-bill after 1 November, the government will 'intervene in the market'. Can the minister please outline how the government intends to intervene in the market and what impact that would have on a small family practice?

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

The government is determined to defend the principle of universal health care. We believe that that is critical for Australians, and we want to make sure that as many Australians as possible can access bulk-billing. Minister Butler made some comments yesterday—I think they are self-explanatory—and he referred to some of the steps that have been taken here in the ACT, in consultation with Senator Gallagher, to make sure that those services are indeed available here.

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

Are you on a point of order, Senator Ruston?

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

It was on a point of order. I'm just wondering if the minister could actually address my question.

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

Have you concluded, Minister? Yes, she has. First supplementary, Senator Ruston?

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

Will the minister rule out compulsory acquisition of small family practices if they choose not to sign up to the government's program?

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

Our focus is very clear. It's on providing the investment that is necessary to restore bulk-billing after a decade of neglect which saw bulk-billing in freefall, according to the assessment of the College of GPs. We intend to deal with that because we understand that public health care and the universal availability of health care are part of our Australian tradition and in the interests of all Australians.

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

Senator Ruston, second supplementary?

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

Thank you, Minister. Can you confirm that the average out-of-pocket cost Australians are currently paying to see their GP is $49.14, which is $7 more than in May 2022?

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

What I can confirm for the senator is that next week we will see very substantial numbers of GP practices deciding to bulk-bill where this week they are not. And that is a good thing and in the interests of all Australians and their health care.

Charlotte Walker (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to ask a question on behalf of the mighty state of South Australia regarding housing for all Australians.

Leave not granted.