Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Green, move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by last sitting day in March 2022:

The provision of general practitioner (GP) and related primary health services to outer metropolitan, rural and regional Australians, with particular reference to:

(a) the current state of outer metropolitan, rural, and regional GPs and related services;

(b) current state and former Government reforms to outer metropolitan, rural and regional GP services and their impact on GPs, including policies such as:

(i) the stronger Rural Health Strategy,

(ii) Distribution Priority Area and the Modified Monash Model (MMM) geographical classification system,

(iii) GP training reforms, and

(iv) Medicare rebate freeze;

(c) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on doctor shortages in outer metropolitan, rural and regional Australia; and

(d) any other related matters impacting outer metropolitan, rural, and regional access to quality health services.

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

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

This government is getting on with delivering primary care for all Australians. Since March 2020 we've invested $6.2 billion into the COVID primary care response. In the most recent budget we invested $1.8 billion to further strengthen primary care. Medicare investment increases each year and bulk-billing numbers are at an historic all-time high. Our Stronger Rural Health Strategy continues to give doctors more opportunities to train and practise in regional, rural and remote Australia, delivering 700 additional GPs and 700 additional nurses to the regions to date.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Urquhart for Senator Green be agreed to.