Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I am not sure whether Senator McKenzie is arguing for a reduction in health care in her region. Medicare Locals are about increasing the availability of healthcare services, particularly primary healthcare services. That is unlike when the coalition was in government, when Mr Abbott removed a billion dollars from the healthcare budget.

What this government is doing is providing $493 million over four years to establish 62 Medicare Locals. It is about increasing the availability of primary healthcare services to regions. In Victoria particularly there are gaps. If you think there are no gaps then I would ask you to tell those organisations that are applying for and seeking to have Medicare Locals in their area that you do not want one. Medicare Locals are local organisations. They are responding for primary health care— (Time expired)