Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Health has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) A total of $493 million (GST Exclusive) has been allocated over four years, from 2010-11 to 2013-14, to establish and operate Medicare Locals.

To accommodate for relative differences in the characteristics of each Medicare Local catchment and population, core funding has been allocated on a weighted population approach that takes into account:

(2) In 2011-12, the total amount of core funding allocated to the ACT Medicare Local is

$2.27 million (GST exclusive). A further $1.95 million (GST exclusive) is also allocated to the ACT Medicare Local in 2011-12 for programs run through the Medicare Local, including, but not limited to the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS), After Hours, Closing the Gap and Practice Incentives Programs.

(3) (4) (5) The Minister for Health has not discussed the funding allocation for the ACT Medicare Local with the Member for Canberra, Member for Fraser or Senator Lundy. The Minister for Health is advised that the former Minister for Health and Ageing has not discussed the funding allocation with the Member for Canberra, Member for Fraser or Senator Lundy.