Opened the debate
Steele-John argued that accessing general practitioners had become increasingly difficult due to low bulk billing rates. The senator cited data showing that in Perth, only 2.9 per cent of clinics bulk billed, with average out-of-pocket costs reaching $42.68. Similar figures were presented for Macnamara, Wills, Richmond, and Sturt, where costs ranged from $40.89 to $51.14. Steele-John contended that these expenses forced patients to delay care, leading to worse health outcomes and increased emergency department visits. The senator stated that underfunding was causing burnout among health professionals in Western Australia.