Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator. Unlike Labor, we are subsidising all drugs recommended by the independent medical experts. The last Labor government reversed the policy of the coalition to list all medicines approved by the independent PBAC. In fact, they deferred the listing of seven medicines. That was down to their financial mismanagement. They simply couldn't afford the services that Australians rely on. They deferred the listing of Symbicort. We have had a few questions about aged care. I can tell you people in aged care will be listening. Symbicort is for the treatment of severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They deferred Fragmin to treat deep vein thrombosis, Synarel for the treatment for endometriosis and IVF, and Invega Sustenna for the treatment of schizophrenia. In Labor's own 2011-12 budget papers, the listing of some medicines would be deferred 'until fiscal circumstances permit'. The only time fiscal circumstances permitted was when we got to the Treasury bench! You simply can't trust those on the other side with your health services. (Time expired)