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Health & Medicare

Medicare, GPs, hospitals, medicines and health insurance.

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Question Time Q&As
204
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253

Recent Question Time Questions

Latest 100 of 204

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript.

  • Private Health Insurance

    Senate · Thursday 17 September 2026 · Chris Gatenby Liberal

    The senator asked why the government insisted that older Tasmanians on fixed incomes bear the cost of budget mismanagement, noting that many seniors live on less than $30,000 annually and pay significant premiums.

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Women's Health

    House of Representatives · Thursday 17 September 2026 · Zaneta Mascarenhas ALP

    The member asked how new medicine listings on the PBS were assisting women with breast cancer and endometriosis.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    Senate · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Michelle Ananda-Rajah ALP

    The senator asked how the government is making medicines cheaper and delivering change for Australians. In supplementary questions, she asked how the government is making it easier to see bulk-billed GPs and strengthenin...

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Women's Health

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Mark Butler ALP

    The member asked for further details on the government's response to the college's concerns and the rationale for the rebate changes.

    Answered by Mark Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing)

  • Private Health Insurance

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Monique Ryan Ind

    The member asked if cutting healthcare supports to pensioners was the only place the government could find budget savings, citing PBO analysis that 1.5 million pensioners would lose $1.5 billion in support.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Aged Care

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Monique Ryan Ind

    The member asked if it would be better to tax oil or gas, cut the diesel fuel rebate, or reconsider AUKUS spending rather than looking for savings in pensioners' pockets.

    Answered by Anthony Albanese

  • Medicare

    Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Josh Dolega ALP

    The senator asked how the government was strengthening Medicare and making medicines more affordable for Australians.

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Private Health Insurance

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Darren Chester Nationals

    The member asked why the government was making life harder for age pensioners by cutting their private health insurance rebate during a cost-of-living crisis.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Motor Neurone Disease

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Sam Lim ALP

    The member asked how new PBS listings were helping Australians living with motor neurone disease.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Aged Care

    House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026 · Rebekha Sharkie Centre Alliance

    The member asked when the government would concede it was failing in aged care, citing high numbers of patients in hospitals, low bed additions, and long wait times for Support at Home packages.

    Answered by Sam Rae

  • Private Health Insurance

    Senate · Monday 14 September 2026 · Anne Ruston Liberal

    The senator asked if it was compassionate to expect pensioners to sacrifice holidays and meals to pay for the policy, given that $1.6 billion of the $3 billion savings came from pensioners. She also asked if the minister...

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Private Health Insurance

    House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026 · Andrew Wallace LNP

    The member asked why the government would not review its stance on the private health insurance rebate, citing the financial impact on older Australians.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Women's Health

    Senate · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Marielle Smith ALP

    The member asked how many women had benefited from cheaper medicines under the government's women's health package and how these measures addressed cost-of-living challenges. She sought details on improvements to access,...

    Answered by Katy Gallagher

  • Veterans: Health Care

    Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Ross Cadell Nationals

    The member asked how the government allowed veterans to feel they had to fight for promised health care. He asked if the Veterans' Minister was fit for purpose given claims of a lack of empathy and whether the government...

    Answered by Penny Wong

  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Jerome Laxale ALP

    The member asked how the government was reducing medicine costs and how new PBS listings for advanced cancers would change lives.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Veterans: Health Care

    Senate · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Dave Sharma Liberal

    The member asked which RSL and veterans' representatives the government had engaged with regarding the proposed cap and which supported the policy. He later asked what specific concerns veterans had raised and why the Pr...

    Answered by Penny Wong

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Dai Le Ind

    The member asked whether the government would allow an exceptional circumstances review for her electorate to enable recruitment of doctors, given that high bulk-billing rates did not reflect actual access due to GP shor...

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Women's Health

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Jess Teesdale ALP

    The member asked how the government was delivering better healthcare for Australian women and why this was important for strengthening Medicare.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Veterans: Health Care

    Senate · Monday 7 September 2026 · Michaelia Cash Liberal

    The senator asked why the government had not reversed cuts to veterans' health services despite the protest. She cited the disappointment expressed by fourth-generation soldier Andy Cullen, who felt betrayed by the gover...

    Answered by Penny Wong

  • Women's Health

    Senate · Monday 7 September 2026 · Marielle Smith ALP

    The senator asked how the government was strengthening Medicare to provide more choice and lower costs for women and girls. She specifically inquired about measures to help women with endometriosis and pelvic pain receiv...

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Veterans: Health Care

    House of Representatives · Monday 7 September 2026 · Michael McCormack Nationals

    The member asked when the Prime Minister would scrap the $5,000 cap on allied health services for veterans, given lack of support from ex-service organisations.

    Answered by Anthony Albanese

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Libby Coker ALP

    The member asked how the government was delivering on its commitments to strengthen Medicare, improve bulk-billing rates, and ensure the future of the NDIS.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    Senate · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Carol Brown ALP

    The senator asked how the government is strengthening Medicare to provide free care and how it is delivering cheaper medicines. She followed up by asking if any obstacles stand in the way of the government's healthcare a...

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Veterans

    House of Representatives · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Michael McCormack Nationals

    The member asked who brought forward the plan to cut $750 million from veterans' allied health support, given the Royal Commission's recommendations.

    Answered by Matt Keogh

  • Veterans

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Michael McCormack Nationals

    The member asked if the Minister would apologize for allegedly rolling his eyes at veterans during a meeting about allied health care caps.

    Answered by Matt Keogh

  • Veterans

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Phillip Thompson LNP

    The member asked if the Minister would scrap the $5,000 allied health cap, citing previous delays in restoring funding and meeting with veterans.

    Answered by Matt Keogh

  • Private Health Insurance

    House of Representatives · Thursday 13 August 2026 · Henry Pike LNP

    The member asked why Australians were being punished with a tax grab due to government spending issues.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    Senate · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Michelle Ananda-Rajah ALP

    The member asked how the government's investment in Medicare was helping more Australians see their GP for free. She also inquired about support for Australians who become ill or injured outside of regular business hours...

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Private Health Insurance

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Anne Webster Nationals

    The member asked why the Prime Minister was imposing a tax on private health insurance that she claimed would increase premiums by 21 per cent and out-of-pocket costs significantly.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Jess Teesdale ALP

    The member asked how the government was bolstering Medicare and simplifying access to free medical consultations.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Carol Berry ALP

    The member asked how the government was increasing bulk-billing rates and strengthening Medicare after a period of reduced funding.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Tertiary Education and Training

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Cassandra Fernando ALP

    The member asked how the expansion of paid practical training was addressing cost-of-living pressures and strengthening the healthcare workforce.

    Answered by Anthony Albanese

  • Cost of Living

    Senate · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Richard Dowling ALP

    The senator asked the minister to update the Senate on how the government's budget management is delivering cost-of-living relief and building services. He sought details on further support measures and investments in Me...

    Answered by Katy Gallagher

  • Tertiary Education and Training

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Basem Abdo ALP

    The member asked what measures the government was taking to support healthcare students and why these policies were superior to alternatives.

    Answered by Jason Clare

  • Veterans

    Senate · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Jacqui Lambie JLN

    The senator asked how many liability and personal injury report invoices were currently unpaid and how many doctors were waiting for payment. She sought a commitment to pay outstanding invoices and interest.

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Medical Workforce

    Senate · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Marielle Smith ALP

    The senator asked how the government is strengthening the future health workforce and easing financial pressure on students. She also sought details on how the government is backing aged-care workers to earn more.

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Private Health Insurance

    House of Representatives · Thursday 2 July 2026 · Pat Conaghan Nationals

    The member asked how many older Australians would be worse off due to the cut in the private health insurance rebate.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Thursday 2 July 2026 · Anne Urquhart ALP

    The member asked how the government is delivering a stronger Medicare after a decade of cuts.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Cassandra Fernando ALP

    The member asked what measures starting that day would strengthen Medicare and deliver cost-of-living relief, citing previous neglect.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    Senate · Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Helen Polley ALP

    The member asked how new health investments would deliver change for Australians. She later asked about investments in treatments and the threats to these investments.

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Economy

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Jodie Belyea ALP

    The member asked why 1 July was an important day for delivering on commitments to strengthen Medicare, help Australians earn and keep more money, and implement real change, and whether any obstacles remained.

    Answered by Anthony Albanese

  • Health Care

    Senate · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Carol Brown ALP

    The member asked how the government was delivering real change for Australians by investing in the public health system after a decade of cuts. She further asked how the government was helping Australians access cheaper ...

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Budget

    Senate · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Anne Ruston Liberal

    The member asked how many pensioners would lose the private health insurance additional rebate under the government's tax changes. She further asked how pensioners on fixed incomes could absorb estimated cost increases o...

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Helen Haines Ind

    The member asked if the government could guarantee that rural communities without Medicare urgent care clinics would not lose access to after-hours care.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Bowel Cancer

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Rebekha Sharkie Centre Alliance

    The member asked how the government could improve education for youth regarding early onset bowel cancer and what assistance could be given to GPs to promote earlier screening.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Gordon Reid ALP

    The member asked for details on the impact of Medicare urgent care clinics and the importance of strengthening Medicare.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

    House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · Josh Burns ALP

    The member asked how the government was making medicines cheaper and how new PBS listings were changing lives.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Taxation

    Senate · Thursday 25 June 2026 · Matthew Canavan LNP

    The member asked why the government had imposed tax changes that threatened state government revenues for schools and hospitals, citing revised stamp duty forecasts. He asked if the government would provide additional su...

    Answered by Penny Wong

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Thursday 25 June 2026 · Renee Coffey ALP

    The member asked how urgent care clinics were improving access to doctors and strengthening Medicare after years of neglect.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Wages and Salaries

    Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Jana Stewart ALP

    The senator asked how the government's position on boosting wages was helping workers in the health sector. She also asked about strategies to attract more workers to the healthcare industry given an ageing population.

    Answered by Murray Watt

  • Medicare

    Senate · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · Michelle Ananda-Rajah ALP

    The senator asked how the government had delivered on its commitment to provide affordable and accessible urgent care. She sought details on the impact of the new clinics.

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Housing

    House of Representatives · Thursday 4 June 2026 · Henry Pike LNP

    The member asked if the government had acted as a guarantor for 51,000 non-citizens to buy their first home.

    Answered by Clare O'Neil

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Thursday 4 June 2026 · Lisa Chesters ALP

    The member asked how the government was providing increased bulk-billing for Australians following ten years of reductions.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 2 June 2026 · Zhi Soon ALP

    The member asked how the government is delivering cheaper medicines.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Thursday 28 May 2026 · Luke Gosling ALP

    The member asked how government investments in bulk-billing and urgent care were simplifying access to medical consultations for Australians.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Budget

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 27 May 2026 · Gordon Reid ALP

    The member asked how the government was strengthening Medicare after a decade of cuts and what additional budget support was provided to lift bulk-billing rates in the Central Coast and Hunter region.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Budget

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 26 May 2026 · Pat Conaghan Nationals

    The member asked why the Prime Minister was removing the private health insurance rebate, citing the financial impact on constituents with health issues.

    Answered by Anthony Albanese

  • Negative Gearing

    House of Representatives · Thursday 14 May 2026 · Anne Webster Nationals

    The member asked why the Prime Minister is restricting negative gearing for nurses, teachers, and police when he has benefited from it himself.

    Answered by Anthony Albanese

  • Private Health Insurance

    House of Representatives · Thursday 14 May 2026 · Rebekha Sharkie Centre Alliance

    The member asked why the government was treating older Australians badly by ending the rebate, which could increase premiums by up to $1,600 for couples, forcing them to choose between food and health insurance.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 13 May 2026 · Anne Urquhart ALP

    The member asked how the government was continuing to strengthen Medicare following a decade of cuts and neglect.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 12 May 2026 · Ali France ALP

    The member inquired about the role of urgent care clinics in improving access to doctors and strengthening Medicare after previous cuts.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Jerome Laxale ALP

    The member asked how the government was delivering cost-of-living relief through cheaper medicines and new PBS listings for cancer treatments.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

    House of Representatives · Thursday 26 March 2026 · Susan Templeman ALP

    The member asked how the government was making medicines cheaper for all Australians and how new PBS listings for multiple myeloma were improving patient lives.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 25 March 2026 · Matt Burnell ALP

    The member asked how the government was facilitating free GP access for Australians and why this mattered following ten years of reductions.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 24 March 2026 · Matt Smith ALP

    The member asked how the government was making it easier to see a doctor for urgent care and why the new model was introduced.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

    House of Representatives · Monday 23 March 2026 · Sarah Witty ALP

    The member asked how the government was reducing medicine costs and how these measures supported Medicare after a decade of neglect.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Women's Health

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 March 2026 · Carina Garland ALP

    The member asked how the government was delivering better health outcomes for women and why it was committed to investing in women's health after previous neglect.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 March 2026 · Fiona Phillips ALP

    The member asked how the government was facilitating access to doctors by guaranteeing a robust health workforce.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Tertiary Education and Training, Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 March 2026 · Gordon Reid ALP

    The member asked what the government was doing to increase healthcare worker education and how this strengthened Medicare.

    Answered by Jason Clare

  • Health Care

    Senate · Thursday 5 March 2026 · Anne Ruston Liberal

    The member asked why the government was waiting for states to provide a plan for proton beam therapy instead of leading the charge. She highlighted that patients, including children, were forced to travel overseas or go ...

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Thursday 5 March 2026 · Marion Scrymgour ALP

    The member asked how the government was making medicines cheaper and how patients were benefiting from new PBS listings.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    Senate · Wednesday 4 March 2026 · Michelle Ananda-Rajah ALP

    The member asked how the government was making it easier for Australians to access urgent care and cheaper medicines via the PBS.

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 4 March 2026 · Jo Briskey ALP

    The member asked how the government was improving access to bulk-billing GPs and providing information on alternative policies.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Carol Berry ALP

    The member asked how the government was making it easier for Australians to access urgent medical care and why government investment was necessary. She also asked about alternative approaches proposed by others.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Indigenous Australians

    Senate · Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Jana Stewart ALP

    The member asked how the government was working with communities to close the gap. She followed up by asking about investments in mental health services like 13YARN and how investments were strengthening remote stores du...

    Answered by Malarndirri McCarthy

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Monday 2 March 2026 · Rowan Holzberger ALP

    The member asked how the government was lifting bulk-billing rates and why universal access to free GP visits was important.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Economy

    House of Representatives · Thursday 12 February 2026 · Jo Briskey ALP

    The member asked how the government was delivering on these fronts compared to other approaches.

    Answered by Anthony Albanese

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Thursday 12 February 2026 · Luke Gosling ALP

    The member asked how the investment was making it easier to see a doctor for free and why it was important after previous neglect.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 February 2026 · Jess Teesdale ALP

    The member asked how the government was investing in bulk-billing and strengthening Medicare, and how these policies corrected past mistakes.

    Answered by Anthony Albanese

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 February 2026 · Ash Ambihaipahar ALP

    The member asked how record investments in Medicare were helping Australians access free medical care and why increasing bulk-billing rates was significant.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Women's Health

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 February 2026 · Alice Jordan-Baird ALP

    The member asked how the government was investing in bulk-billing and women's health, and what risks these investments faced.

    Answered by Catherine King

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 February 2026 · Anne Urquhart ALP

    The member asked how the government was improving health care access in regional Australia and how increasing bulk-billing rates improved outcomes.

    Answered by Kristy McBain

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 February 2026 · Fiona Phillips ALP

    The member asked how changes to bulk-billing were delivering better health outcomes for older Australians and why this was necessary.

    Answered by Sam Rae

  • General Practitioners

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 February 2026 · Susan Templeman ALP

    The member asked what the government was doing to boost the number of doctors and attract more GPs, and how this strengthened Medicare.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Women's Health

    House of Representatives · Monday 9 February 2026 · Ali France ALP

    The member asked how the government is delivering more choice, lower costs, and better healthcare for Australian women.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Cost of Living

    Senate · Thursday 5 February 2026 · Charlotte Walker ALP

    The member asked what specific measures the government was delivering to help Australians get ahead, including details on wages, unemployment, housing, and healthcare. She also inquired about actions taken to address cli...

    Answered by Penny Wong

  • Aged Care

    Senate · Thursday 5 February 2026 · Anne Ruston Liberal

    The member asked if the government would take responsibility for the aged care crisis leaving thousands stranded in hospitals. She further asked if the minister accepted that excessive wait times caused by rationing care...

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Thursday 5 February 2026 · Lisa Chesters ALP

    The member asked how investments in 1800MEDICARE and urgent care clinics were reducing pressure on emergency departments and improving healthcare access.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    Senate · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Carol Brown ALP

    The member asked how the government was delivering cheaper medicines for Australians. She followed up by asking about new supports for healthcare access. Finally, she asked how these measures complemented other actions t...

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Basem Abdo ALP

    The member asked how record investments in bulk-billing were strengthening Medicare.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Albanese Government

    Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Helen Polley ALP

    The member asked how the Albanese Labor government was delivering on its commitments to the Australian people regarding cost-of-living pressures, healthcare, and childcare.

    Answered by Penny Wong

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Trish Cook ALP

    The member asked how the government was strengthening Medicare and public hospitals to ensure access to quality health care, and why maintaining this focus was important for Australians.

    Answered by Anthony Albanese

  • Veterans

    Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Jacqui Lambie JLN

    The member asked for clear examples of government actions to address veteran suicide and mental health issues identified by the Royal Commission.

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Dan Repacholi ALP

    The member asked how the government was delivering cheaper medicines and making life-changing treatments available on the PBS, and why this was important after previous neglect.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Ellie Whiteaker ALP

    The member asked what the government had done to deliver high-quality health services through the National Health Reform Agreement.

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Claire Clutterham ALP

    The member asked how the government was delivering more urgent care clinics and why this was important after a decade of neglect.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Bondi Beach: Attack

    Senate · Tuesday 20 January 2026 · Dorinda Cox ALP

    The member asked what mental health support the government was providing to those affected by the Bondi terror attack.

    Answered by Jenny McAllister

  • Aged Care

    House of Representatives · Tuesday 20 January 2026 · Rebekha Sharkie Centre Alliance

    The member asked when the government would act to take responsibility for elderly people in hospitals who needed aged care.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Medicare

    House of Representatives · Thursday 27 November 2025 · Joanne Ryan ALP

    The member asked what actions the government was taking to strengthen Medicare and why the government was determined to improve healthcare after a decade of cuts.

    Answered by Mark Butler

  • Health Care

    House of Representatives · Thursday 27 November 2025 · Dan Repacholi ALP

    The member asked what the government had done to repair the aged-care workforce and why this was necessary.

    Answered by Sam Rae

Recent Debates

Latest 20 of 253