Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the opposition for their support and I also thank Senator Ludwig for his answer. The concern here is to highlight the fact that the information about the number of low-income families that are going to be affected is not available. It highlights the need for this evaluation. We agree that we need to fix up the situation where inappropriate expenses are being claimed and where we are not matching up the reimbursement of expenses with actual expenses et cetera. I can understand all of that. My concern here is that there is a group of people who we very strongly suspect will be adversely impacted by the bringing in of this cap, because they have not got private health insurance and they cannot pay the out-of-pocket expenses. We want to know how many people there are. As I understand it, the government is saying that these people will then join the waiting lists once again, which we already know are extensive and are between 12 and 18 months.

It is important that we have this evaluation so that we can start looking at what the unintended consequences are. If these people are joining the waiting list, are they waiting for a long time, or, because of the changes that are being implemented through this—and I understand that this is where the government is coming from—does the government think the public waiting list will then shrink and they will get dealt with quicker through these changes? I want to know if that is the case. I would appreciate any additional information the government can provide. Senate Ludwig indicated that they probably cannot provide some of that information. We are using that as an example of why we think this evaluation process is very important. I also indicate that the Greens still maintain our concern about the adverse consequences some of these changes are going to have on those who can least afford it.