Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Payman for this important question around 60-day dispensing and ensuring that medicines are made cheaper for the six million Australians who suffer from long-term health conditions and chronic conditions. They will be able to make savings in the order of $180 per medicine per year through this change.

It is really staggering that those opposite are opposed to this cost-of-living measure. We saw the ridiculous situation this morning where we saw the opposition vote against bringing their disallowance motion on six times. Six times we saw that rabble over there vote against their own motion. Six times they voted to keep medicines higher for longer for six million Australians. Then they pretend that they have an interest in addressing cost-of-living measures. This is an important cost-of-living measure that will save hundreds of dollars per medicine for those who have long-term medication needs in this country.

And, when the Senate gave room in the program to deal with the very important motion moved by Senator Ruston, what happened? We all sat on our hands and had nothing to say.