Minister Butler's media

Today, on International Neonatal Screening Day, the Albanese Government is delivering on our commitment to end the postcode lottery, by investing $39 million to achieve national consistency and expand the program.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's press conference in Wyong on Voice to Parliament; health policy; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health; Closing the Gap.

Australians could benefit from better cancer treatments, new vaccines, depression treatment without medication, and deeper insights into gut health because of new medical research projects funded by the Albanese Government.

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to Sunbury residents, with the opening of the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic at the Goonawarra Medical Centre Sunbury.

From September 1, Australians with a chronic condition will benefit from cheaper medicines on around 100 common medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) under the first stage of the Albanese Government’s new 60-day dispensing policy.

The Albanese Government is providing $6.2 million to The Embrace Collective for their Embrace Kids program to help kids tackle body image issues to live happier, healthier lives now and in the future.

Australians can now have a say on two important strategies that will guide Australia’s action against hepatitis B and C to eliminate these viruses as public health threats by 2030.

The Australian Government is providing $1.3 million to Beechworth Health Service to roll out and evaluate a tool that improves care planning for older Australians across what matters to them, medications, mobility and mental health.

The Australian Government is providing a $1.5 million grant to Outback Futures to trial an innovative project to improve access to allied health professionals in remote areas. 

Extra mental health funding support will be provided to First Nations communities affected by major flooding, caused by a number of recent cyclones and monsoonal events in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

The Government is investing $10.8 million to encourage eligible Australians to complete their potentially lifesaving bowel cancer screening as new data reveals screening rates dropped in 2020–2021 and natural disasters impacted screening rates.   

I welcome the news that the Prime Minister will recommend to the Governor-General that Mr Blair Comley PSM will be appointed as the Secretary for Department of Health and Aged Care.

A provider for the Joondalup Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) has been selected, following an Expression of Interest process. This is the third provider announcement for Medicare UCCs in WA.

The Australian Government is strengthening Medicare with a new $50 million research initiative to drive innovation in primary care.

Australians have saved almost $100 million in just five months, off nearly 9 million prescriptions, thanks to the Albanese Government’s cheaper medicines policy.

Read the transcript of Mark Butler's interview with Madeleine Morris about Cancer Council data on smoking and vaping, taking action on smoking and vaping, opioids, hospitals, bulk billing

The Albanese Government is seeking the views of researchers, consumers, industry, philanthropists and health service providers as part of reforming its investments in health and medical research.

From 1 June 2023, Australians with endometrial cancer and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome will have access to new treatment options through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

A provider for Western Australia’s second Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has been selected, following an Expression of Interest process. 

The Albanese Government is pleased to announce Professor Steve Wesselingh will be the next Chief Executive Officer of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The Australian Government is today releasing the consultation report for a national one-stop shop that will enable clinical trials and health and medical research to be assessed and managed in a single place.

Australians living with rare diseases will have access to a new helpline and telehealth nurses thanks to the Albanese Government delivering on an election commitment.

On World No Tobacco Day the Australian Government is releasing the draft of the proposed tobacco control legislation.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's press conference at Parliament House about World No Tobacco Day, taking action on smoking and vaping, cheaper medicines and Calvary Hospital ACT.

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