Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Senator Johnston. Will the minister inform the Senate about the coalition's commitment to build the roads of the 21st century and how the budget delivers on those promises? How will investing in such infrastructure ensure that our regions and our nation remain strong and continue to prosper?

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator O'Sullivan for his longstanding interests in infrastructure, particularly regional infrastructure. I am delighted to report to the Senate and especially to our new crossbench colleagues that this government's commitment to infrastructure is very strong and ever-continuing, and seeks to progress our great nation. The government has committed a record $50 billion to the infrastructure spend in this year's budget. Delivering modern infrastructure is a crucial part of the government's economic action strategy. The coalition has increased overall infrastructure spending by $16.4 billion between 2013-14 and 2018-19. Included in our budget is $11.6 billion for an infrastructure growth package for new infrastructure spending. Entirely new projects that were not funded by the previous Labor government will now be possible. These include the building of the Outback Way through Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia—and may I say the people of Laverton, Leonora and Kalgoorlie in my home state of Western Australia most certainly welcome that—the building of the Moree bypass stage 2 in New South Wales, the building of the Mount Barker interchange in South Australia and many other programs.

The $11.6 billion Infrastructure Growth Package includes $2.9 billion for infrastructure to support the new western Sydney airport and $3.7 billion for targeted infrastructure investments. These include the Perth Freight Link, $925 million; the Black Spot Program, which has a budgeted extra $200 million; and an additional $350 million for the Roads to Recovery program. These are fabulous programs, funded by the Abbott government. (Time expired)

Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Will the minister provide further information about infrastructure investments the government is making to ensure our regions and our nation remain strong and continue to prosper. And will the minister advise the Senate how abolishing the carbon tax will make our regions even stronger and more prosperous?

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government are committed to working with regions to create dynamic, stable, secure and viable economies across Australia. We are providing $1 billion over five years to our new National Stronger Regions Fund, which will invest in priority infrastructure for all our regional and rural communities, will support the livability in those communities and will drive their economic growth programs. It will make regional and rural communities a place where more people will choose to live and the removal of the carbon tax will assist this objective even further. The Senate has the choice to help regions and regional Australians by removing the carbon tax. We want to do that and we want the parliament to achieve that objective. This is a vast country. Many of our regional towns are not on grid and have massive carbon tax debt. (Time expired)

Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I thank the minister for his comprehensive answers. Will the minister advise the Senate of the steps that the Senate itself can take to ensure we build the infrastructure the nation needs to keep moving forward?

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for the question. The Land Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill is currently before the Senate. We are moving to deliver the infrastructure that Australia critically needs, which will build the vital road and rail projects to improve efficiency, boost productivity and drive the economy forward. This bill is a key component of that objective.

Amendments to this bill are critically required to continue the Roads to Recovery program beyond 30 June just gone. Currently, our five-year funding extension of the Roads to Recovery program is at risk of being blocked in the Senate. There is a lot of much-needed work on our local roads and streets. Our communities desperately need the continued vital investment of our Roads to Recovery program. But the Labor Party thumb their nose at those needs.

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Nash. Can the minister confirm that, under current bulk-billing arrangements, a medical practice in a regional area receives a higher bulk-billing incentive than in a metropolitan area? And can the minister confirm that under the government's budget savings measure this higher incentive for GPs has been abandoned and that regional GPs who do not charge the $7 GP tax will be more than $14 worse off per consultation?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those opposite are aware of a range of changes in the budget relating to health. Those opposite are well aware why. The changes that have occurred in the budget are to ensure a sustainable health system into the future. The MBS 10 years ago cost $8 billion. It now costs $19 billion and we are on a trajectory to $34 billion. The government has taken the correct steps to ensure a sustainable health system.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order: on relevance. This minister, when asked a direct question, has a habit of saying, 'Those opposite are aware of a range of changes.' That is not the point of question time. She has been asked a very specific question about the higher bulk-billing incentive for doctors in regional areas and whether the budget has removed that. She should answer the question and, under standing orders, she is required to be directly relevant.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, have you concluded your answer? I invite you to continue your answer. You have not concluded? You have concluded?

Opposition senators interjecting—

Order! It is no wonder I cannot determine, because I cannot hear. Quiet on my left! Senator Nash, I will invite you to continue your answer and I will also remind you of the question.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. Indeed, there have been changes in the budget because of the previous Labor government's mismanagement. Can I perhaps point out to the chamber that, under the previous finance minister, Senator Wong, net debt tripled from $42 billion in 2009-10 to $153 billion—

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order. My point of order is specifically on direct relevance to the question. The question specifically asked about the proposed bulk-billing actions in the budget and the impact on rural GPs. There is no variation in the question. It is not a multiple question; it is only the one question.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Nash was asked to confirm two items. I will draw the minister's attention to the question that was asked. Minister, you have the call.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I had confirmed that there were changes in the budget because of the previous Labor government's waste and mismanagement under the previous finance minister.

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Is the minister aware of comments by the President of the Rural Doctors Association, Dr Ian Kamerman, that doctors who waive the co-payment will be hit by a further cut in the Medicare payment for these consultations, further eroding what are, in many cases, rural practices that are already only marginally financially viable? Is the Rural Doctors Association correct?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I am aware of those comments by Dr Kamerman. It will be a matter for clinicians as to whether or not they choose to charge the co-payment. Clearly we will not able to determine the impact on individual practices until it is determined whether or not a co-payment will be charged.

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Won't the government's introduction of a bulk-billing disincentive further undermine bulk-billing in regional Australia and further disadvantage regional Australians?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There have indeed been a range of changes in the budget—supported, indeed, by the shadow Assistant Treasurer, as we have canvassed before in this place, and former Prime Minister Hawke.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order on direct relevance. The question was asking the minister whether the changes would be a disincentive to further undermine bulk-billing in regional Australia and disadvantage regional Australians. I ask you to draw the minister's attention to that question.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, had you concluded your answer?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, I will invite you to continue your answer and remind you of the question.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. As we have indicated in the past, rural GPs have the purview of determining whether or not they will charge the co-payment. That has not changed. This government will ensure there is a sustainable health system into the future—unlike those opposite, who did not focus on rural and regional Australia in any way, shape or form.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

After that excellent answer, I ask that further questions be placed on notice.