Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to ask the question those opposite refused me on Thursday, denying South Australian women vital information about crucial health reforms which were introduced last Saturday. But now I put my question again. My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. The Albanese Labor government's new health measures commenced on Saturday 1 November, with the government delivering record investments in women's health. What impact do these reforms have on Australian women, and how do they reflect the Albanese Labor government's commitment to listening to women and improving access, choice and lower costs for health care?

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

I thank Senator Smith for the question. At least you have been able to ask that question today. I also acknowledge the work that you've done in your time, particularly in the last parliament, on investing in women's health and making sure that the women of Australia get a better deal when it comes to support for perimenopause and menopause—but also on the broader women's health policy that we took to the election.

For the first time, on 1 November—so on Saturday—Labor expanded bulk-billing incentives to all Australians, creating a new, additional incentive payment for practices that bulk-bill every patient, and, from this week, practices and GPs registering for the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program will equally share in the additional incentive payment of 12½ per cent. We know that women visit the GP more often and have higher out-of-pocket costs, but they will benefit from that big investment in bulk-billing.

Labor's women's health package is delivering what women have been asking for: better access, more choice and lower costs after years of their health issues being ignored and not addressed under the former government. The Albanese Labor government is working to reverse a decade of neglect of women's health with $792.9 million to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for women. Women have asked the government to take their health care seriously, and we have listened. These changes could save women and their families thousands of dollars across their lifetime, and, from 1 November, women will have better access to affordable contraceptive options, thanks to the Albanese government's landmark women's health package.

We know that one in 10 Australian women use a long-term contraceptive—compared to one in eight women in New Zealand, one in seven in Ireland and one in three in Sweden—so providing more contraceptive options will allow more choice for women.

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

Senator Smith, first supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government has listed new contraceptives on the PBS for the first time in over 30 years and has made long-acting reversible contraception more accessible and affordable from 1 November. How are these changes improving choice and lowering costs for women seeking contraceptive options?

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

I thank Senator Smith for the question. Looking at just one of those contraceptive options, NuvaRing is available now on the PBS, from 1 November, providing a new, affordable option for women. Before the listing of NuvaRing on the PBS, women might have paid more than $270 a year. Now they will pay $31.60 per script or $7.70 if they have a concessional arrangement. This follows the first PBS listings for new oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years, as Senator Smith said. I think most of us scratch our heads over the fact that new contraceptives weren't listed on the PBS for three decades. We've also listed Yaz, Yasmin and Slinda on the PBS. Again, women were paying around $380 per year if they were using one of those three choices. Now they're paying less than half of that, $126.40 a year, or just $30.80 a year with a concession card.

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

Senator Smith, second supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This information is hugely important to women across Australia. Last week we marked the end of World Menopause Awareness Month. How are the Albanese Labor government's investments in menopause and perimenopause, including the new Medicare rebates, PBS listings for therapies and funding for clinical guidelines and training, supporting women's health and raising national awareness of these important issues?

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

I think Senator Smith should be very proud of the work that the Senate committee did in relation to treatment of perimenopause and menopause, because it has directly influenced some of the decisions the government has taken in listing those new drugs. Again, they hadn't been listed for 20 years. Again, women were out of pocket paying for those. We've also established a new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments. Over 20,000 women have undergone a menopause health assessment covered by Medicare since they became available on 1 July. In just four months, 20,000 women have been able to access that new item.

As Senator Smith said, we've also got the new guidelines in place, and, of course, all of our policy has been influenced by the work that the member for Cooper, Minister Kearney, did last election and also by the work of the National Women's Health Advisory Council, who led a lot of the consultations. It's time that we got this job done, and we're doing it.