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

I am always happy to hear the public comments from Professor Brian Owler. But can I say that the best thing this government can do for rural Australia is to fix the economic mess that was left to us by the previous Labor government. When it comes to Indigenous health, I would say, through you Mr President to the senator, that it is this government that is doing more for Indigenous health than the previous Labor government—$3.1 billion over the forward estimates and $920 million this year. Indeed, that is $500 million more over the forward estimates than was received from 2009 to 2013 under the previous Labor government.

This government has looked at bringing in a co-payment, because it is this government that recognises we need to have a sustainable health system into the future and people in rural and regional Australia understand that.