Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings: Health Insurance Amendment (Medicare Dental Services) Bill 2007 Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 Higher Education Support Amendment (Extending FEE-HELP for VET Diploma and VET Advanced Diploma Courses) Bill 2007 Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment (Cape York Measures) Bill 2007 National Health Security Bill 2007 Social Security Amendment (2007 Measures No. 2) Bill 2007 Social Security Legislation Amendment (2007 Budget Measures for Students) Bill 2007 Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 6) Bill 2007 Trade Practices Amendment (Small Business Protection) Bill 2007.

Leave granted.

I table a statement of reasons relating to the Health Insurance Amendment (Medicare Dental Services) Bill 2007 and seek leave to have the statement incorporated in Hansard.

The statement read as follows:

STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE IN THE 2007 SPRING SITTINGS

HEALTH INSURANCE AMENDMENT (MEDICARE DENTAL SERVICES) BILL

Purpose of the Bill

The bill amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 to enable implementation of new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) dental care items for dental care services, as announced in the 2007 Federal Budget.

This new measure will increase access to dental services under Medicare for people with chronic conditions and complex care needs, where the patient’s oral health is impacting or likely to impact on their general health.  It significantly expands existing out-of-hospital dental care MBS items available under the Enhanced Primary Care arrangements.

Reasons for Urgency

Legislative changes must be passed early in the 2007 Spring sittings to allow the new MBS dental care items to commence on 1 November 2007 as announced in the Budget.

This will enable Medicare Australia to implement the necessary systems changes and for new Medicare items to be made under Ministerial determination prior to 1 November 2007.

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want the Senate to note the Greens objection to this motion. There should be proper consideration of all these bills. That has not been afforded by this motion and we will not be supporting it.

Question agreed to.