Page 1999 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 7 June 2017
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As we know, the ACT has one of the lowest rates of bulk-billing for general practitioners in the country, with our rates historically hovering around 50 per cent. This has been slowly improving. We are close to 58 per cent in the most recent quarter but are still well below the national average of 84 per cent.
These are disappointing results for bulk-billed services in the recent commonwealth budget, noting of course again that GPs are facing enormous pressure because of that co-payment freeze that they have been under pressure on for a number of years. Although the commonwealth will lift that, it will not come soon enough.
Bulk-billing rates for our private allied health services in the ACT are also low. This results in a significant number of Canberrans not seeking health care from private allied health workers due to the cost or using outpatient allied health services in public hospitals instead. To improve bulk-billing rates, I am pleased that the ACT government is delivering on this election promise to provide $1.05 million over three years as an incentive for general practices to provide more bulk-billed health care, including access to GPs and importantly allied healthcare providers.
In particular, this will provide greater access to bulk-billing for people in the Tuggeranong, Weston Creek and Molonglo region because we know that that is where there is a current gap. This will not only make primary health care more affordable but also facilitate better coordinated care for the wellbeing of patients. They will be able to access a wider variety of health services. Of course, this forms part of our 10-year health plan. (Time expired.)
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability—estimates availability
MR WALL: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability. Minister, will you be available to appear before the estimates committee this year to answer questions about the budget areas for which your portfolios are responsible? If not, why?
MR RATTENBURY: As Mr Wall well knows, I will not be available to attend on the days the committee has asked me to attend. I wrote to Mr Wall probably three months ago—I would have to check the date exactly—indicating that I am going to be overseas during the estimates period. I offered to the estimates committee many months ago to appear on a different day. The estimates committee has declined my offer. Therefore, I have asked that acting ministers attend in my stead.
MR WALL: Minister, will your representative at the estimates committee hearings be able to fully answer the questions as you would be able to as the minister responsible?
MR RATTENBURY: Mr Gentleman will be the acting minister during the period of my absence. I have great confidence that Mr Gentleman will answer the questions with great aplomb. As members will know, the officials will also be available. The officials have a lot of the knowledge as well, and I have instructed my officials to be as helpful as they can be to the estimates committee when they appear before it.
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