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

No, I do not agree with the comment by Professor Owler. Those opposite might not realise that the AIHW report is actually a snapshot in time. My understanding is that those figures were comparative to the previous financial year. It is a snapshot in time. What it does not take into account is the long-term pressure on our health system and the long-term pressure on our MBS. I have canvassed in this place before that it is unsustainable. Ten years ago the MBS was $8 billion. It is now $19 billion and it is projected to go to $34 billion. We are looking at health expenditure continuing to grow year on year at around five per cent across the forward estimates.

So, rather than respond to a set of figures—that is, a snapshot in time—this government is making the responsible decisions needed to ensure that we have a sustainable health system into the future. Unlike those opposite, this government is making no apology at all for making the appropriate decisions to ensure that we have a sustainable health system for the Australian people into the future.