James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to thank Senator Polley for her contribution and Labor's support for the bill. I also thank Medicines Australia, the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia for their efforts in developing the agreements with the government.

I would also like to make particular mention of the contribution made by the Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee. The committee's consideration of the bill included a number of questions on the proposed new power for the minister to exercise discretion in making certain pricing decisions. At the recommendation of the committee, additional information regarding the operation of these provisions has been included as an addendum to the explanatory memorandum. The addendum also contains further information in relation to transparency and scrutiny of written determinations made by a minister using discretional powers. I can confirm that these determinations will be made publicly available via registration on the Federal Register of Legislation. This is in addition to the publication on the PBS website.

I thank the senators for their interest and support, and commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.