STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator TYRRELL (Tasmania) (13:58): In the last few weeks we've got some amazing new data about how bulk billing is way more available across the country thanks to the government's investment in health. The data has told us that we're making great progress in our target to reach a bulk-billing rate of 90 per cent by the end of this decade. Bulk billing for pensioners and concession card holders is now over 93 per cent, which is great for those Australians and Tasmanians on a low or fixed income.

I'm really proud to see that bulk billing for Australians who don't have a concession card has also climbed sharply, by more than 10 per cent since last October. In our amazing Tasmania we're seeing great bulk-billing progress. In the June 2026 quarter, Tassie's bulk-billing rate went up by almost six per cent.

In northern Tassie, bulk-billing rates are up by more than 20 per cent—woo hoo! That's 20 per cent more northern Tasmanians getting free health care from their GP—thanks to this government, not the state Liberal government. It really is that simple.

Before Labor came to government, bulk-billing was falling off a cliff. It was reduced by more than 10 per cent in just one year because of a Medicare rebate freeze that had been in place for six years. Our record investments are seeing that turn around.

Turning around bulk-billing is not just a cost-of-living measure because it means people aren't shelling out that money; it's leading to better health and building a healthier Australia. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Tyrrell. We're going to move to question time now.