QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (15:24): Thanks to the Albanese Labor government, PBS medicines are now the cheapest they have been in 20 years. The last time medicines were this cheap was in 2004. Thanks to our investments in cheaper medicines, Australians have saved more than $2.9 billion since July 2022.

But we should be clear about the history of this. If the Liberals and the Nationals and One Nation had their way, the maximum PBS co-payment would be more than $50. Under those opposite, families right across Australia would be paying twice as much for their medicines as they are today.

We are adding more medicines to the PBS so Australians can access the treatments they need at a price they can afford. Just this month, we listed the first new treatment in 20 years for a rare brain cancer—a treatment that can slow progression of the disease. Australians shouldn't have to choose between their health and their hip pocket.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Brown, second supplementary?