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Australia signs health agreement with Norway

The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, has signed a reciprocal health agreement with the Ambassador to Norway, Mr Ove Thorsheim.

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28 March 2003

Australia signs health agreement with Norway

The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, today signed a reciprocal health agreement with the Ambassador to Norway, Mr Ove Thorsheim.

At a ceremony in Canberra, Senator Patterson and Mr Thorsheim signed an agreement which will provide Australians and Norwegians with reciprocal access to public health facilities while travelling or staying in the two countries.

Under the new agreement, Australians visiting Norway will receive subsidised treatment in the public health system covering hospital, medical care and prescription drugs. Norwegians visiting Australia will receive similar benefits under Medicare.

The agreement will cover illness or injury while travelling and will contribute to a safer environment for people visiting for business or holiday.

Senator Patterson said that the agreement will also help older travellers or those with medical conditions who find it difficult to get travel insurance.

Senator Patterson said that the new Agreement affirmed Australia's strong relationship with Norway and acknowledged the strong business and family ties between the countries.

Australia has reciprocal agreements with New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland. Discussions are taking place with other countries.

"Australia has agreements with a number of countries which have similar health systems as a way of offering quality health care for Australians travelling overseas" Senator Patterson said.

The agreement is expected to come into effect later in the year after its passage through Parliament.

Media inquiries, contact Randal Markey, Media Adviser, Senator Patterson's office, 02 6277 7220.