Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Regional Health, . The Queanbeyan GP Super Clinic has had to increase fees, due, in part, 'to the removal of Queanbeyan from the rural and regional classification for bulk-billing incentives by the Commonwealth government'. Does the minister accept this cut is hurting Queanbeyan?

Mark Coulton (Parkes, Deputy-Speaker, Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the shadow minister. I can say that in the last round of changes to the Modified Monash Model Queanbeyan was MM 1. It is still MM 1. There have been no changes to Queanbeyan, and I dispute the quote the member has got. I point to the Riverside Medical Centre in Queanbeyan, where this afternoon there is an appointment every 10 minutes—in a super clinic that does receive the bulk-billing incentive. There have been no changes to the MM model in Queanbeyan, and it would be better if the shadow minister stopped trying to scare the people of Queanbeyan.

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

The member for McMahon, seeking to table a document?

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am, Mr Speaker. I seek leave to table the statement by the Queanbeyan GP Superclinic announcing a fee increase due 'to the removal of Queanbeyan from the rural and regional classification for bulk-billing incentives by the Commonwealth government'.

Leave not granted.