Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Consideration of House of Representatives Message

Continued the debate

McAllister moved that the Senate committee not insist on its amendments to which the House of Representatives had disagreed. McAllister expressed satisfaction that the bill was progressing, highlighting its primary benefit of allowing 400,000 nurses to exercise their full professional capabilities. McAllister noted that the Podiatry Board was currently collaborating with the National Medicines and Poisons Advisory Group to update endorsements for scheduled medicines, with further progress expected later in the year. McAllister emphasised the government's broader commitment to strengthening Medicare and expanding bulk-billing access, particularly in the ACT.

Opposition response

Ruston stated the Coalition would not insist on the amendments but highlighted their original intent to support rural residents, older Australians, and people with disabilities. Ruston argued that the rejected amendment would have allowed endorsed podiatrists, who already have prescribing rights, to provide PBS-covered medications, thereby avoiding full-price costs or the need for separate GP appointments. Ruston criticised the government for ignoring a scope of practice review submitted nearly two years prior and for making medicines more expensive than necessary. Ruston affirmed support for nurse prescribers having similar PBS access rights.