Page 1429 - Week 05 - Thursday, 13 May 1993
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MR KAINE: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Given that there have been many community contacts between the people of Nara and Canberra, to my certain knowledge, for at least three years - and this Chamber of Commerce arrangement has emerged out of that - just how much longer does the Chief Minister expect this trickle-up effect to take before the Government actually does something?
MS FOLLETT: As I have said, Madam Speaker, I have the issue specifically about Nara and more generally about twinning arrangements under consideration and - - -
Mr Kaine: Active consideration?
MS FOLLETT: Very active consideration indeed, Madam Speaker. In fact I met with the deputy mayor of Nara whilst he was on a visit to the ACT. There is now a new mayor of Nara, and to some extent the diplomatic relations were recommenced upon the change of mayor. But the proposal is something which I am pursuing.
Influenza Vaccine
MS ELLIS: My question is directed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Health. Can the Minister advise the Assembly of what arrangements have been put in place by the Commonwealth for reimbursement of the cost of vaccine for haemophilus influenza type B?
MR BERRY: The announcement that special interim arrangements would be made to ensure access to HIB immunisation for eligible children was made by Senator Richardson on 21 April 1993. Parents of babies born on or after 1 February 1993 and who purchase vaccine on or after 1 April 1993 will be eligible for reimbursement of up to $35.50 per dose of HIB vaccine provided by a pharmacist or a medical practitioner. Proof of purchase, including the name of the vaccine and the date it was bought, and a declaration of out-of-pocket expense will be required to obtain a refund. Parents can make a claim through their local Medicare office, and special HIB claim forms were available from Medicare offices from 10 May 1993; they are already available. Families who paid for vaccine between 1 April 1993 and the announcement on 5 May 1993 will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $50 per dose of vaccine. This is because, although the Pharmacy Guild of Australia's recommended price is $35 per dose, we are aware that some families have already been charged up to $50.
The national HIB immunisation program was agreed as a cooperative program between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories in 1992. Under the agreement the Commonwealth will supply vaccine to the States following a national tender which closes in May. The full program will still commence on 1 July 1993. The Commonwealth will provide funds to the ACT so that vaccine can be made available to medical practitioners and immunisation clinics at no cost to parents of eligible children from this date. The national program aims to vaccinate all children at two months and several times
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .