Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I am aware of comments by Professor Brian Owler. What I would say to the chamber is this government is absolutely committed to improving health outcomes for all Australians, including Indigenous Australians.

The senator should be aware that the community controlled health organisations claim Medicare benefits for primary health care. The senator would, I am sure, also be aware that they are also able to access grant funding as well to deliver primary health care. In 2014-15 the grant funding amounts to $382 million. This government is very well aware of how important it is that we ensure Indigenous Australians have access to primary health care. We need to improve those health outcomes and we will absolutely be ensuring, as my colleague Senator Scullion has been continuing to say, that we will focus that on frontline delivery and health care.