Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025

Ms JARRETT (Brisbane) (13:28): I rise in support of the Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which is about prescribing medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Access to universal free health care is one of Labor's greatest legacies to Australia, and this bill is just another part of that. You know, I'm one of eight kids.

I have no idea how my parents would have possibly managed had we not had access to free health care via Medicare and subsidised medicines through the PBS. My pensioner grandparents, who lived next door, absolutely relied heavily on Medicare and the PBS in their later years. This bill builds on Labor's commitment to make health care more accessible and more affordable for all Australians.

This bill increases access to and availability of medicines for all Australians. Importantly, it will allow registered nurses to prescribe certain medicines that can be supplied under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and attract a Commonwealth subsidy. Again— The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Georganas ): The debate is interrupted in accordance with standing order 43.

The debate may be resumed at a later hour. The member for Brisbane will have leave to continue speaking when the debate is resumed.