Santo Santoro (Queensland, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I appreciate senators opposite and Senator Murray acknowledging that discrimination in statutes and elsewhere within our community is being progressively eliminated—that is something that can be placed on the record—by all parties represented in the chamber, and that is good. However, at this point the advice that I have received—and the amendment has been considered by the government—is that the amendment would have a significant impact on the Health Insurance Act and the National Health Act, particularly the safety net arrangements under the Medical Benefits Scheme and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. I have been advised that the amendment would require much fuller consideration and that at this point it cannot be accepted by the government.