Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading

Freelander described the National Joint Replacement Register as a vital tool for monitoring surgical outcomes and patient safety, noting that over 85,000 hip and knee replacements are performed annually. The member explained that the bill transitions the registry to a cost-recovery model and clarifies who is liable for the levy, addressing ambiguities in the previous framework. Freelander argued that modernising the regulatory design allows the government to respond to industry changes without constant legislative amendments. The member emphasised that the bill supports clinical excellence by ensuring data collection remains robust and transparent for both public and private health systems.

French described the bill as a precise amendment that corrects a loophole in the 2009 levy act, making sure that companies responsible for medical devices, rather than hospitals or patients, bear the cost. The member explained how the legislation updates definitions to reflect modern corporate structures and validates past levy collections to protect the registry from legal challenges. French argued that the bill reflects competent governance by maintaining the funding stability of a globally recognised health registry. The member highlighted that the legislation ensures fairness by requiring manufacturers who profit from devices to contribute to the system that monitors their safety.