STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr CALDWELL (Fadden—Opposition Chief Whip) (16:12): This Labor government's always happy to stand in front of a camera and announce the new medicines that it's adding to the PBS. You know what? Those new listings should be celebrated.

Even as recently as question time today, we had the minister saying, since they've come to government nearly five years ago, 'We have launched more than 460 new medicines on the PBS, and this Wednesday, on 1 July, we will list another 10.' What they don't like talking about are the medicines that Australians are losing. I was recently contacted by a local whose wife was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

She is just 30 years of age. Like any young couple, they should be thinking about building their future together, but instead their lives have been turned upside down by surgery, ongoing treatment and the uncertainty that comes with this diagnosis. Now they're facing another worry—whether or not she'll be able to continue accessing her medicine that's been prescribed, Zoladex 3.6 milligrams.

From 1 November, Labor is removing it from the PBS. For this young couple, it's an unnecessary layer of uncertainty at a time where they're already worrying enough. They shouldn't have to worry about whether their essential medicine will be available and accessible.

What I'm asking, through my letter to the Minister for Health and Ageing, is that he urgently work with all parties to secure ongoing access on the PBS to Zoladex 3.6mg. I urge the government to take action.