Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Yesterday the government announced a $573.3 million investment in women's health to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for women. The package of measures includes the first PBS listing for new oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years. Brands Yaz and Yasmin will go on the PBS, saving hundreds of dollars a year for over 50,000 women. It also includes the first PBS listing for new menopausal hormonal therapies in over 20 years. You've then got more choice, lower costs and better access to long-term contraceptives, with larger Medicare payments and more bulk-billing for IUDs and birth-control implants, saving around 300,000 women a year up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs. Then there are more endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics treating more conditions, with the opening of 11 new clinics and ensuring all 33 clinics, including the one in Bennelong, are staffed to provide specialist support for menopause.

Labor will always strengthen Medicare. In less than three years we've invested record amounts in bulk-billing; we've opened over 80 new Medicare urgent care clinics, including one in Top Ryde, open 8 am to 10 pm, seven days a week, fully bulk-billed; and we've saved Australians over $1 billion on the cost of their medicines. You just need to compare our approach on Medicare to that of the Liberals. It's in their DNA to oppose and attack Medicare, and it's ours to make it better and defend it.

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