Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her question. I commend the health minister for the very wide ranging package of health reforms we saw last week, including the work around the private health insurance reform. This is an area where we're looking to reform to make private health insurance simpler and more affordable for Australians. It's interesting to note that as part of that the insurers have given written guarantee that every dollar will be passed on to lowering premiums—in answer to the senator's question.

I think it's very important that we look at the simplification of the system—moving, obviously, to gold, silver, bronze and basic standards—to make it much clearer for consumers to traverse the sometimes complicated private health insurance sector. After consultation with the private health insurance and medical sectors, the government has agreed to stop the Commonwealth rebate for a range of natural therapies—such as Bowen therapy, Rolfing and reiki—which was a key recommendation, I note, from the Chief Medical Officer. One thing we won't do, though, is Labor's plan to abolish basic coverage, which would remove the choice for pensioners and lower income families.

We are very proud of this reform, and I think again the health minister has been very comprehensive last week in bringing forward the range of health reforms that he has. Families and older Australians are going to benefit from these reforms in particular, and we note that, for the coalition, families and older Australians and their access to health care are a key priority. So I am very pleased to be able to stand here today and make some comments around the private health insurance reform—again, a key initiative from the coalition government, delivering for the Australian people.