Bill Debate · In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 1 July 2026
Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia
The Senate debated amendments moved by the Jacqui Lambie Network to extend prescribing powers under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to podiatrists. The Liberal Party supported the changes, arguing that podiatrists face similar legislative barriers to nurses and should be included. The government opposed the amendments, stating that extensive consultation had occurred for nurses but not yet for podiatrists, and that including them would delay the bill. The amendments were ultimately defeated.
The amendments were defeated in a division of 31 to 21.
Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.
Opened the debate
Roberts moved two amendments on behalf of the Jacqui Lambie Network to amend the bill. The changes sought to insert provisions into the Health Insurance Act 1973 and the National Health Act 1953 to define and authorise eligible podiatrist prescribers. These amendments aimed to allow podiatrists to prescribe pharmaceutical benefits and supply them under prescriber bag provisions, subject to ministerial determination and approval by the Secretary.
Government response
McAllister stated the government would not support the amendments because the necessary consultation and planning for podiatrists had not yet occurred, unlike the decade-long process for nurses. McAllister noted that the Podiatry Board was working with the National Medicines and Poisons Advisory Group on updating endorsements, with a report due later in 2026. McAllister argued that delaying the bill to include podiatrists would prevent 400,000 nurses from accessing prescribing powers, thereby hindering patient access to affordable medicines and care in regional and aged-care settings.
Opposition response
Ruston announced that the Coalition would support the amendments. Ruston argued that podiatrists currently face similar issues to nurses, as they can prescribe certain medicines under state and territory laws but are excluded from federal PBS prescribing. Ruston urged the government to include podiatrists in the bill to ensure Australians have access to affordable medicines, noting the government had provided no substantive reason for their exclusion.