Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

MAN () (): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Gallagher. Today, in a move that speaks volumes about their priorities, the coalition have tried to deny Australians access to the Albanese Government's 60-day dispensing policy. At a time when Australians are already grappling with escalating cost-of-living pressures, how would this have exacerbated the financial strain on families and individuals who rely on these essential medicines? Can the minister articulate the real-world consequences for the millions of Australians living with chronic conditions?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to 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.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator McGrath and Senator Hughes! Senator Hughes! Senator Hughes, how many times do you need to be called to order? Once, I would think.

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

So the motion now just sits there, an orphan on the Notice Paper. We're then failing to deal with it, and they need to explain why they are voting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Senator Watt, that is really unhelpful. Order across the chamber! As I have reminded senators on many occasions, if you want to make a contribution, do it at some other time in the sitting calendar.

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

Those opposite need to explain to those six million Australians who will benefit from this change and why they want medicines to get higher for longer, as they did for the five years when they didn't deal with this when they were in government.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Payman, a first supplementary?

Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, why is it so important to have 60-day dispensing of medicines for conditions such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis? Can the minister inform the Senate how much Medicare cardholders and concession cardholders will save with the beginning of 60-day dispensing on 1 September? Furthermore, how would a delay have contradicted expert recommendations and gone against the overwhelming support from consumer groups and major doctors associations for this reform?

The:

I beg your pardon, Senator Hughes.

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

I thank Senator Payman for the supplementary. As I outlined in my earlier answer, Medicare cardholders stand to save up to $180 a year for eligible medicines that they take, and concession cardholders will benefit by $43.80 per medicine per year. I do acknowledge that every major patient group and every single doctors group support this measure because it's good from a cost-of-living perspective. It's also, importantly, good for people's health care, by having access to medicines at an affordable level and in a way that is convenient for patients.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Payman, second supplementary?

Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, why is it important to have 60-day dispensing for Australians living with chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, Crohn's disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, asthma, Parkinson's disease, depression, hypertension and others? How would the coalition's position to delay have created a missed opportunity to support those battling chronic illnesses and modernise a system in need of reform?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Henderson. Senator McGrath.

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

This change is important is important because it's going to make medicines cheaper for six million Australians, and we will always be on the side of cheaper medicines.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.