TV interview with Minister Butler, Sunrise – 1 April 2026

NATALIE BARR, HOST: In breaking news this morning, the US President has delivered a shock message to the world, when it comes to the oil crisis, you're on your own. That's what he said. Donald Trump says any country struggling with supply that hasn't helped the US in Iran needs to, quote: “get their own oil”. He says, learn how to fight for yourself. The USA won't be there to help you anymore like you weren't there for us. For more, let's bring in Mark Butler, the Minister for Health. Good morning to you. Pretty strong words from the US President. Can we get through this fuel crisis without the help of the US?
 
MARK BUTLER, MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGEING, MINISTER FOR DISABILITY AND THE NDIS: We need the Strait of Hormuz open, as does every country, Nat. Twenty per cent of the world's oil supply is currently locked up behind that strait because of the war that Trump is waging with Iran. Iran has shut down that strait. It's threatened shipping. It's attacked shipping that has been seeking to get oil out of the Persian Gulf and into the sort of supply system that every country around the world, particularly countries in Asia, including Australia, depend upon. We've got to have the strait opened. But the strait needs to be opened through a de-escalation of this war between the US, Israel and Iran. It lays in their hands. Those three countries are the ones waging the war, not Australia, not any other country in Asia. That's why we've called so strongly for de-escalation here. We need de-escalation, we need dialogue and we need that incredibly important artery for the global economy open again.
 
BARR: Okay, moving on. From today, private health cover is set to jump by an average of 4.41 per cent. That is the biggest hike in almost a decade. One in four Aussies now considering ditching their cover altogether. Can you understand that? What do you say to families who simply say that's enough, we cannot absorb another cost of living hit?
 
BUTLER: I know this is such a tough time for anything to be going up, Nat. I'm absolutely conscious of that, which is why I forced the health insurer companies back to the table on a number of occasions over the course of summer because I was determined to get that increase down as low as I possibly could. But I also have a responsibility to ensure that the private hospital system is viable. Their costs have been going up by about 5 per cent, I got the balance about as good as I possibly could have. But I know that this is a really tough time for anything to be going up, including something as important to millions of households as their private health insurance.
 
But I'd encourage people to have a look at some of the independent information available on privatehealth.gov.au because there's a big variety, not only in the products that are offered by different companies, but particularly the prices as well. I know this is tough. I wish there didn't have to be an increase to keep pace with those hospital costs, but I do encourage people to shop around.
 
BARR: Yeah, and also if you earn, I think, over $101,000 as a single, you'll be penalised. You'd have to pay that Medicare Levy if you don't take out private health. That's also something to remember, isn't it? Finally, just quickly, you've a new announcement on mental health support this morning, Minister.
 
BUTLER: Yeah, we're opening a commitment we made a while ago, Medicare Mental Health Check In. This is a free, very accessible service. You don't need a GP referral. There's no out-of-pocket expense. It's backed by Medicare. And it's really there for people who are dealing with mild to moderate levels of distress that doesn't need full-blown psychological therapy, but where people do need some help to get back on the rails. This is another really important free service for people who are doing it tough. And I know that there is a lot of distress out in the community right now because things are really pressured.
 
BARR: And where do we find out about that?
 
BUTLER: Medicare Mental Health Check In. It's online. And from this week, there's also a free telephone service where people can get that low-intensity therapy.
 
BARR: Okay. Mark Butler, thanks very much for your time.
 
BUTLER: Thanks, Nat.