Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (10:02): I thank senators for your contributions to this debate on the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025, in committee. I want to make a few brief remarks—not extended ones, because I did address many of the issues that have been canvassed here this morning in my contribution yesterday.

Based on the contributions that senators have made this morning, I understand that the bill will shortly pass this chamber, and I want to emphasise how pleased I am that that is the case. I think I share that with all senators here. This bill will allow the 400,000 nurses across the country to engage more widely and to work more fully within their scope of practice, and that is a very good thing for patients all across the country.

I note the comments about podiatry, and I emphasise, as I did yesterday, that the Podiatry Board is currently working with the National Medicines and Poisons Advisory Group on updating the podiatry endorsement for scheduled medicines. The Podiatry Board will return to that advisory group later this year as their work progresses, including to facilitate broader consideration of endorsement for scheduled medicine arrangements for the wider podiatry profession.

The government is, of course, deeply committed to supporting access to health care and increasing access to health care. I note Senator Pocock's remarks earlier in relation to the ACT. We are delivering our commitment in the ACT to strengthen Medicare and bulk-billing here.

Just recently I saw Minister Gallagher and Minister Butler opening the two additional fully bulk-billed clinics in the ACT, and there's another one to come. Strengthening access to public health is a core commitment for the government. Strengthening Medicare, investing in public hospitals, expanding bulk-billing and restoring the integrity of that bulk-billing offering in the context of 10 years of cuts to services—this is core business for our government, and we intend to continue.

I think the Senate for your consideration of this bill. Without wishing to get ahead of the Senate processes, I look forward to the bill passing this chamber shortly. Question agreed to.

Resolution reported; report adopted.