Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Hansard source

Clearly they do not know how it works over there. Clearly they do not understand how people on low incomes are forced to make these decisions. Clearly they do not understand what it is like to live on a low income and be in this position, because it is real, and you are making jokes about what is actually happening to people in Australia.

What you need to realise is that it is actually cheaper for you to fix them earlier. It will actually be better for you to treat people sooner and to give them the medication they need. But not only are you doing all this; you are still cutting money out of hospitals. In my home state of Tasmania, we have the bowel kit and bowel cancer test. Last week we had a GP on the radio saying category 1 patients are taking up to 12 months to get the tests they need if they have had a bowel cancer test come back saying they need further investigation. This is category 1. These are people that need to be seen within 30 days, and they are taking a year. Do you understand what you are doing to people? Clearly you do not, and clearly you do not care.

This government and this Prime Minister are not serious when it comes to improving health outcomes for Australians. They clearly do not understand the impact of their decisions. They would rather give a $50 billion tax cut to companies in Australia, including $7 billion to the big banks, than look after ordinary Australians. (Time expired)

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