Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The global pandemic has forced us to re-examine our national health system at a time when it has been placed under unprecedented stress. The regulation which restricts operators in the health space has created a strong disincentive for genuine innovation to occur. Despite the incredible inhibitions imposed by regulation, the Sargood centre, in Collaroy, is a world-class facility, helping those with spinal cord injuries. Their holistic approach means they also engage with families and carers of those with spinal injuries by equipping them to improve their lives. The Sargood centre is an outstanding example of what happens when specialists are allowed to innovate and start their own businesses to provide medical support.

If we are to productively engage with the long-term health challenges of our nation, we need regulation which empowers Australian healthcare providers. The success of the NDIS has essentially been one of partnering with individuals who know what they need better than any bureaucrat in Canberra could ever know. This is particularly the case with injuries which are complex and life-changing, like many of those related to spinal injuries. We need to be encouraging operators like the Sargood centre, who provide highly tailored rehabilitation depending on the individual and their unique circumstances, harnessing the innovative drive of the private sector, coupled with government support for individual choice. This is the trifecta of modern health care. This is how we will create affordable quality care into the future. There have only been a few moments in the history of our nation when there has been reason to pause and examine the state of our health system. The pandemic is one of these. There is an opportunity for us to partner with organisations like the Sargood centre in providing dynamic health solutions to some of our community's most vulnerable. The reality is we are already long overdue for healthcare reform, from how we administer Medicare and our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to private health insurance. We risk our medical centre stagnating at the time when we need it most, and the strain put on our healthcare system is only growing. The human cost of this is simply devastating.

Our frontline workers in the medical profession are the backbone of our community—from doctors and nurses to occupational and other therapists. We need to be providing these selfless workers in our community with conditions which do not see a typical working day place undue stress on them or their families. The Sargood centre provides a model in which the private sector can provide excellent quality of service whilst providing highly competitive conditions for employees. Whilst those working in health care do so to help others, it is our job and responsibility as a community to look after them. Overworked, stressed and impoverished healthcare workers should not be the norm in our hospitals or surgeries. Mental health issues are growing, a silent pandemic that continues to affect the lives of many on the Northern Beaches. Providing flexible working conditions is long overdue when it comes to our industrial relations regime. This is something that competition between healthcare providers can drive as they seek to attract and retain talent.

It is always encouraging when I see businesses in my electorate, like the Sargood centre, lead the way when it comes to providing Australians with world-leading health solutions. These are the kinds of businesses that we need to be incentivising to grow and develop. Starting a business is hard. Starting a business seeking to be an industry leader is rarely accomplished. For those few businesses that can make it, the last thing they want or need from their government is red tape which stops them employing more people and growing or innovating further. Sadly this is what the Fair Work Commission does on a regular basis. Health regulations, as they stand, are quite literally keeping Australians sick and impoverished. It's time to end the regulation racketeering that benefits a small elite at the top of a hierarchy at the expense of working Australians.

What I love most about our community on the Northern Beaches is that, despite all these challenges, organisations such as the Sargood centre continue to operate and flourish. They are drastically improving the lives of others. For their presence, innovative spirit and commitment, the Prime Minister came to honour their achievement. What they do cannot be accurately thanked in these words, but the example they set should not be ignored, and for that I thank them.

Question agreed to.

House adjourned at 17:24

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