Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Farrell. We're currently living through a mental healthcare crisis, with closed books and long waitlists. The crisis is even more acute in rural and regional Australia. Last year, Tasmanians were twice as likely as their mainland counterparts to claim the Medicare rebate for an initial psychiatry appointment via telehealth. Tasmanians rely on telehealth to see a psychiatrist more than people in any other state or territory. Does the minister agree that telehealth services are vitally important in helping manage the current healthcare crisis, especially for people in regional areas like Tasmania?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Tyrrell, for your question. As a person who used telehealth quite a few times during the course of the COVID crisis, I know it was a terrific service. As you know from some of my earlier comments today, Senator Tyrrell, the Albanese government is committed to strengthening Medicare and to providing equitable access to ensure all Australians receive the care that they need, and that is especially the case in respect of the issue that you've raised, which is mental health. In the recent budget the Albanese government delivered $586.9 million to mental health, and this funding will extend critical services and address urgent gaps and workforce shortages.

There's a whole range of issues there in relation to access to mental health. An independent evaluation by the University of Melbourne found that the additional psychology sessions as part of the COVID Better Access package did not expand access to mental health support and that the number of new patients accessing a psychology service declined.

The Albanese government is committed to delivering equitable access to mental health support for all Australians, and that of course includes people in your home state of Tasmania, Senator Tyrrell. The additional Better Access sessions that were put in place temporarily during COVID exacerbated— (Time expired)

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

Senator Tyrrell, first supplementary?

Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Advisory Committee is recommending stopping Medicare rebates for initial consults with a specialist via telehealth, including for psychiatry. What does the government have to say to Australians who will be forced to choose between $1,000 out of pocket to get immediate care via telehealth or waiting over 12 months to see someone face to face just so they can get the rebate? I hear that the mainland numbers went down, but Tasmanian numbers went up.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Tyrrell for her first supplementary question. I think the fact of the matter is that this government is doing a whole range of things to try and rebuild the Medicare system, which was left in a terrible state as a result of the former government.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

She's asking about telehealth—

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

Senator Ruston!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ruston, I am answering the question. I'm talking about—

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Telehealth, telehealth.

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

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Ruston, I called you. I expect you to come to order and stop being disrespectful. Minister Farrell, please continue.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. I know why Senator Ruston is so embarrassed about the former government's approach to—

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

Senator Farrell, I will bring you back to Senator Tyrrell's question.

Senator Ruston! Minister Farrell, please continue.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We are rebuilding Medicare in this country. We continue to— (Time expired)

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

Senator Tyrrell, second supplementary?

Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and the Australian Medical Association are against this recommendation. Will the government adopt the MRAC recommendation or instead listen to the concerns of psychiatrists and doctors, who strongly oppose the removal of the vital service?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Tyrrell for her second supplementary question. In my experience, we have a very fine minister in Minister Butler, a minister from South Australia, who does listen to experts but, more importantly, who does listen to the community. What the community is telling Minister Butler is that they want us to rebuild the Medicare system. That's what this government is doing. So, to the extent that any people that you're referring to want to contribute to rebuilding the Medicare system, of course I'm absolutely certain that Minister Butler will be listening to them.