Ms HALL (9:58 AM) —In the short time that remains before this debate expires I would like to bring to the attention of the House the shocking state of dental health care available in Australia and to remind the government that they should be meeting their obligation to provide dental health care. One of the most successful programs that existed in Australia prior to the election of the Howard government was the Commonwealth dental health care program. Unfortunately, the Howard government cut the program, which cost very little money, and, as a consequence, many people in the community are struggling. One such person, a constituent of mine who lives at Toukley, has only a top set of dentures and has been waiting for two years for dentures. Meanwhile, my constituent has been forced to basically live on soup and soft foods. This is not good enough in a country like Australia.

In addition to that, I would like to advise the House that when Andrew Podger gave evidence to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing he said that the Commonwealth had a responsibility for dental health care.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. IR Causley)—Order! It being 10 am, in accordance with sessional order 193 the time for members’ statements has concluded.