Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to make some comments in relation to the government senators on this reference committee inquiring into Medicare funding for hyperbaric oxygen treatment and to put in perspective the contribution Senator Ryan made here in the chamber this afternoon. I want to make sure that those people who are listening to this debate understand that this is not something that has happened overnight. The funding for this treatment has gone on for over a decade and on three occasions the proponents have failed to meet the criteria for ongoing funding by Medicare.

It was identified over a decade ago, as I said, that a more substantial randomised control trial was needed. But such a trial has not provided the Medical Services Advisory Committee—MSAC—that evidence to date. There is currently a trial being undertaken, and when the trial has been completed the applicants can again seek funding.

In 2011 MSAC assessment of the hyperbaric oxygen treatment for non-diabetic wounds was also scrutinised by the National Health and Medical Research Council, as well as this inquiry. But, again, I can put on the record that government senators support the government's decision to withdraw the Medicare funding for non-diabetic wounds.

We had evidence from the chair, Professor Robyn Ward from the Medical Services Advisory Committee. That is the body tasked with looking at these issues, and I think that a 10-year period to be able to substantiate that this funding was warranted is a pretty fair thing. But it is also important to understand that this treatment is available for other diseases, including diabetic gangrene, diabetic foot ulcers and the list goes on. There are quite a few of them that it is still available for. But the decision is consistent with the commitment to evidence-based decision-making, and that is what we are charged with the responsibility of doing.

The department has gone out of its way to assist the applicants, including the special review by the NHMRC and the follow-up activities. That was evidence that was given to this hearing. Interim funding has been provided for around a decade, as I said, to enable new evidence to be obtained so that a proper and full determination could be made about the funding of hyperbaric oxygen treatment for non-diabetic wounds.

Yes, it is easy to come into the chamber, and always easy to play politics because we all have concerns for the health and welfare of our fellow Australians. I think that over 10 years it actually would include the former government, which did nothing to address this issue. So now they come into the chamber and try to paint a picture of how terrible it is that this government, through Medicare, is going to take that funding away. The trial is underway, and when that evidence is provided the applicants can then apply for Medicare funding. That is the way that it should be.

I, too, would like to place on record my appreciation—as all senators have when trying to get their heads around an issue like this—for the support we had from the secretariat. I place my thanks to them on the record and also to those witnesses, not only for the written submissions but also, particularly, to all of those who came and gave evidence.

I would just like to encourage those in the chamber and those who are interested in this issue to read the report that was signed by the Greens, by the Liberals and by Senator Xenophon, who I am sure is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to make his contribution. But the government senators could not support those recommendations. We support the decision. We are reliant upon MSAC to be the advisory body for the government of the day, irrespective of its political persuasion. We take their advice, and so therefore I urge you to read the dissenting report that has been signed by Senator McEwan and me.