Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I also ask the minister whether he will deal with the issue of type 2 diabetes. He may or may not be aware that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has doubled in the period of time that the government has been in office. Obviously, this is a modern disease and its growth is exponentially increasing. The government did announce a diabetes initiative as part of the budget package, and I am wondering whether the minister can provide some information about the copayment of $50 which is required for people to participate in the diabetes related weight loss programs. My particular interest in this is that we know the prevalence is particularly high in Indigenous communities. If the minister has any intention of answering the question, it is important that he actually knows what the question is, so I will wait for him to be in a position to hear it.

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