Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

States and territories have primary responsibility for the funding and provision of public dental services, including determining what services they provide and who is eligible. The Morrison government is supporting states and territories in this through a national partnership agreement. All jurisdictions have signed on to this agreement. Over three years the NPA will provide $350.3 million in funding to support services to around 580,000 public dental patients over four years. The Morrison government is currently in discussions regarding funding for dental services beyond the expiry of the current NPA. In contrast, when last in government, Labor cut $1 billion from Medicare for dental services and means-tested it, removing the chronic disease dental schedule. In addition, Labor cut $4 billion from the private health insurance rebate for consumers and means-tested it, going straight to the heart of affordability of dental coverage.