QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (14:52): I do thank Senator Ananda-Rajah for that question and her continued advocacy for Victorians and their health care, and I do note the sensitivity of those on the other side of the chamber, who seem so determined. Unbelievably, given the result that is delivered to them time and time again about the Australian public's desire for a properly funded public health system, they still fight against it, they still complain against it and they still rail against the investments that we are making in bulk-billing to repair the damage that was done over a decade by the people on that side, who appear unable to learn the lessons from their past.
Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Gallagher, on a point of order? Senator Gallagher: President, I just draw your attention to the very loud noise that's coming from those opposite. I can hardly hear Senator McAllister from where I'm sitting.
The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Minister. As you are aware, I did call the chamber to order. I would ask senators, particularly on my left but also on my right, not to interject and—particularly on my left—to stop the running commentary.
Senator McALLISTER: The Albanese government was elected with a clear mandate, and that was to strengthen Medicare after a decade of cuts and neglect, and we do that so it is easier for Australians to see a doctor for free. We're getting on with it. Thanks to our historic investment in Medicare, more Australians are, in fact, seeing a GP for free.
In the last June quarter, across Australia, we saw the bulk-billing rate rise to 84.1 per cent. We should be very clear about what that means in practice. For your community in Victoria, Senator Ananda-Rajah, more than 85 per cent of visits to the GP were bulk-billed in that last quarter.
That is five per cent higher than in the current quarter and that does mean that mums and dads are taking a sick little one to the GP for free. It does mean that a young apprentice who has twisted his ankle on site can get it checked out without worrying about the bill. It means thousands and thousands of Australians who might otherwise have to put off seeing a doctor are getting the care when they need it.
The PRESIDENT: I'll just wait for silence across the chamber, particularly on my right. Senator Ananda-Rajah, first supplementary?