Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

The figure that the Manager of Opposition Business uses also includes, as I understand it—I will stand corrected—consults for COVID-19 vaccinations, which did artificially boost the bulk-billing rate. We have been very clear that our interest was in the bulk-billing rates for GP consults.

Opposition members interjecting—

I hear all the interjections. They might not be interested in the bulk-billing rate for GP consults, but that was the basis on which we started reporting bulk-billing data. GP colleges and the rest of the representatives said they could not tell from the data published by the former government what the bulk-billing rate was for GP visits, and GP visits are the core service in the Medicare system. So there are two things. The former government did not include transparent data on bulk-billing. They artificially inflated it with COVID-19 vaccinations. The second thing is that the trajectory was clear.

I will say this to wind it up. I am happy any day of the week to have a debate on bulk-billing with this man, the worst health minister in the history of Medicare. I don't say that as an opinion. That was the opinion of Australia's doctors. The second-worst health minister in the history of Medicare was the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, because she froze the Medicare rebate for her entire time as health minister. Under this Treasurer, the Medicare rebate has increased in two years by more than the former government managed in nine long years. (Time expired)

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