Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Hansard source

How does the minister expect nurses to take on extra responsibilities when the government has cut 25 Australian hospital nursing schools? Can the minister explain her public comments recently that she is going to extend Medicare to nurses and allied health professionals? Also, can the minister explain whether that is part of the budget? What amount of money is allocated in the budget papers for the extension of Medicare to allow nurses and other allied health professionals to list their services on the MBS? Can the minister explain the $500 million that is being cut from a variety of health programs including mental health, diagnostic imaging, primary care policy, innovation and research and primary care education and training? Furthermore, can the minister explain why she unilaterally tore up the memorandum of understanding with pathologists, or did she not know that there existed a memorandum of understanding with pathology groups? I might add that was bipartisan when it was initially signed, but obviously, unilaterally, it no longer is.

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