Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I am asking advice because this is actually in the portfolio of the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing. I am sorry that he is not still here to answer the question. Nevertheless, maybe I could go to the broader point, because I think the point the member for Forde is making is a serious one, and I will be happy to talk with the member and with the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing afterwards. We have to deal with these matters carefully.

I inform the member for Forde of the healthy start for school check, which is about to have its impact. From 1 July last year we put in place the healthy start for school check, which is really about making sure that children have the sorts of checks that are a good idea to have before they go to school to make sure that problems with their hearing, sight and any developmental delays are picked up—anything that might mean they are not going to be able to learn as well as they might otherwise. For nearly 12 months now children have been receiving these checks, and this is tied to the end-of-year supplement that is linked to family tax benefit part A. Right now Centrelink and the Department of Human Services are letting parents know that they need to get this check done. It is good for their kids and we want to make sure that it happens.

On the sensitive issue raised by the member, I am happy to make sure we have a three-way conversation with the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing.

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