Damian Drum (Murray, National Party, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the minister outline to the House how a stronger economy enables the government to deliver the essential health services Australians rely on and supports research into finding a cure for MND, as well as life-saving research into conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy? Is the minister aware of any other approaches?

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to thank the member for Murray for his question. Only this morning he voted, along with every member on this side of the House, for tax cuts from 1 July for 53,700 members of his electorate. You can only do that, you can only provide that tax relief, if there's a strong economy.

That's the same thing which also allows a government to guarantee essential services, such as record funding for Medicare, record funding for hospitals and record funding for medical research. Today is, of course, global motor neurone day. Importantly, very recently I was able to join the great Neale Daniher, a close personal friend of the member for Murray, at the MCG for Big Freeze 4, as part of the fight to end MND. On that day we were able to contribute $2 million of matching funding to the work of the public to support them.

One of the trials which that funding has supported is the Tecfidera trial. Elizabeth from Seven Hills—I believe that is in the member for Greenway's electorate—is on that trial. What she has said about that research is: 'Being part of this trial gives me hope. It is important for me, because it gives me the chance to go on.'

That is along with what we've been able to do for spinal muscular atrophy with Mackenzie's Mission and with the listing of SPINRAZA for spinal muscular atrophy. That's the reason why every one of us is in this place. If you have a stronger economy you can deliver results, such as new trials, new research and new medicines, and that will make a difference to people's lives. Our guarantee is that every medicine which is supported by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, we will list. But you can only do that, of course, if there is a strong economy.

I was asked if there are any alternatives. I went to the 2011 budget papers, because in 2011 Labor deferred seven fundamental drugs.

Mr Sukkar interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will resume his seat. The member for Deakin is warned. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, for a long time there have been issues in this House that are viewed as above politics. Issues like motor neurone disease have always been among them. To turn this into a partisan attack is not going to help the dignity of this House and is not going to help in any way principles that have held in question time for a very long time.

Honourable members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I haven't called the minister yet. I've heard from the Manager of Opposition Business. I call the minister.

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Page 121 of the portfolio budget statements said, in relation to seven medicines:

… given the current fiscal environment, the listing of some medicines would be deferred until fiscal circumstances permit.

I repeat: until fiscal circumstances permit. Our guarantee is that, as long as we are in government—

Honourable members interjecting—

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business has the call.