Bob Baldwin (Paterson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Health and Ageing, in writing, on 1 March 2011:

(1) In respect of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC)—Remoteness Areas (RA), will there be a limit by (a) number, (b) dollar value, or (c) share of available funding, to Medicare rebates available for online consultations for patients living in: (i) non-capital city RA1, (ii) capital city RA1, (iii) RA2, (iv) RA3, (v) RA4, and (vi) RA5.

(2) In respect of the ASGC—RA, will there be a limit by (a) number, (b) dollar value, or (c) share of available funding, to the $35 million telehealth training initiative for health professionals in: (i) non-capital city RA1, (ii) capital city RA1, (iii) RA2, (iv) RA3, (v) RA4, and (vi) RA5.

Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) No. Rebates will be available for patients in inner Metropolitan areas and rural and regional areas.

(2) No.