Senator NEWMAN (Social Security) (5:24 PM) —I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard .

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows—

This bill delivers on the Government's commitment to pay in full the offer made to the States in relation to health funding at the Premiers' Conference in March.

This legislation allows the Commonwealth to continue funding to all states and territories based on the fair and reasonable Premiers' Conference offer.

The Government is not prepared to delay any longer in ensuring the continuation of funding for hospitals. We are introducing this bill to provide certainty for the people of Australia, who can rest assured that Commonwealth funding for their hospitals will not be stopped.

Already, Queensland and the ACT have given in-principle commitment to enter into Australian Health Care Agreements.

Although the other States have yet to accept the Government's very generous offer, we will not be denying the people of those States access to the services they require. The Commonwealth will continue to provide those States with funding for their hospitals.

To receive funding under this bill the States will be required to adhere to principles ensuring universal access to health and emergency services free of charge, on the basis of clinical need and within clinically appropriate periods, regardless of the patient's location.

These principles are based on those applying under the existing Medicare Agreements.

This bill reaffirms the Government's commitment to Medicare, and provides for fair and reasonable funding to the States.

Ordered that the resumption of the debate be made an order of the day for the first day of the spring sittings 1998, in accordance with standing order 111.