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Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Page: 2471

Senator BUSHBY (Tasmania—Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate) (15:43): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum and to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows—

HEALTH INSURANCE (DENTAL SERVICES) BILL 2012

I introduce this Bill today to redress an injustice that the Government appears determined to inflict upon the nation’s dental health professionals.

The Bill requires the Minister for Health, in conjunction with such other Ministers as may be necessary, to redress past and future inequities that have arisen from the operation of subsection 10(2) of the Health Insurance (Dental Services) Determination 2007.

The Bill describes the inequities imposed on dental practitioners by the operation of the subsection of the Determination and specifies five courses of action which the Minister can take to redress those inequities.

It establishes a timeframe within which action is to be taken and requires a report to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament detailing the actions taken.

I commend the Bill to the Senate.

Senator BUSHBY: I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.