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

I thank Senator Urquhart for her supplementary question. The dental health reform package will replace the Medicare Teen Dental Plan and the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme. The Howard government's dental scheme was poorly targeted, saw significant waste and overservicing, and failed to address the capacity constraints of existing public dental services. Those from the opposition would know that quite well.

The scheme introduced by Mr Tony Abbott as health minister was not means-tested, which meant millionaires could get $4,250 of free dental care. It was a dental scheme that meant that pensioners with high oral care needs could be left behind and not get the help they need, while all you on the other side could do was target those who could afford oral health, and they got subsidised by your scheme. It was not targeted, which meant patients could get gaps, crowns and often cosmetic work— (Time expired)