Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Today in Canberra, National Cabinet met and made important progress on key reforms. Can the Minister outline to the Senate how the Albanese government is working with states and territories to deliver for all Australians? In particular, what's being done to strengthen our health system?

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

I thank Senator O'Neill for the question. I'm very pleased to reflect the announcement of National Cabinet here today, an example of the federation working for Australia and, most centrally, of the government working with other governments to ensure a better health system for all Australians. National Cabinet made important progress on key reforms to strengthen Australia's health system, to secure the future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and on keeping Australians safe. Premiers, first ministers and the Prime Minister are working together in the common interests of all Australians.

National Cabinet had agreed that the top priority for 2023 was health. I'm pleased to again communicate the National Cabinet decision to a further $1.2 billion package to strengthen Medicare. That's a further $1.2 billion of strengthening Medicare measures which are all about taking the pressure off our hospitals. The Commonwealth, the Albanese government, is boosting funding for Medicare urgent care clinics and supporting older Australians through avoided hospital admission and early discharge from hospital. We are focused on delivering reforms that ensure the entire health system is more integrated, more equitable, more efficient and more sustainable. Of course, these measures are on top of the measures that the Albanese government is already doing, which include cheaper medicines, urgent care clinics and investment in bulk-billing, and are in stark contrast to the decade, the shameful legacy, of cuts and mismanagement by the coalition.

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

Senator O'Neill, a first supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for your response, Minister Wong. Could you also please explain how the Albanese Labor government is working to secure the future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme?

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

Thank you to the senator for her question and for her interest in this very important and difficult area of public policy.

We know that the NDIS has delivered life-changing supports to thousands of Australians. It is pleasing to see that all Australian governments are committed to providing equity and fairness for Australians living with disability. National Cabinet acknowledged the need for reforms to secure the future of the NDIS, ensuring it can continue to provide life-changing support not just today but to future generations of Australians with disability. Governments will work together to implement legislative and other changes to the NDIS to improve the experience of participants, to restore the original intent of the scheme and to support people with permanent and significant disability with a broader ecosystem of supports. The National Cabinet agreed to jointly design additional foundational supports, working together to ensure a strong and sustainable NDIS for years to come. (Time expired)

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

Senator O'Neill, a second supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Wong. I know how much that's going to mean to people in community. I note also that National Cabinet has agreed to the most significant improvement in Australia's firearms management system in almost 30 years. How is the government working to keep Australians safe?

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

As National Cabinet reflected, we are marking the anniversary of the police shooting at Wieambilla, and this week the funeral was held for Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, killed in my own state's south-east. Today, National Cabinet agreed to implement a national firearms register. This is a reform that has been outstanding for too many years. It is one of the reforms outstanding from the Port Arthur massacre response in 1996, which I acknowledge was one of the great examples of bipartisan support for new regulation in this country in order to keep Australians safe.

The agreement struck today represents the most significant improvement in our firearms management system in almost 30 years and it will keep Australia's first responders and communities safer. The register will address significant gaps and inconsistencies, and we have agreed to work together to ensure it is fully operational within four years. (Time expired)

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

Senator Birmingham, on a point of order?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was not quite yet 3.00 pm when Senator Wong's answer concluded. Senator McDonald was on her feet at that point in time.

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

I am happy to take the advice of the Clerk—via you, President.

An opposition senator interjecting

Sometimes it's possible to be gracious, actually. If you'd let me finish.

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

Senator McDonald, resume your seat, please.

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

If the Clerk's advice to the President is that it was too early, of course I will not seek that question time close. I always try to be reasonable on that front.

The:

The Clerk's advice is we were a few seconds before 3 pm, so Senator McDonald.