On International ME/CFS Awareness Day, the Australian Greens extended our strong support  for improved health outcomes for the 250,000 Australians living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

The Greens have pledged $1.14 billion in extra federal funding for WA chronically underfunded hospitals.

This investment would be funded by repairing the broken ‘resource super profits tax’ (the PRRT), forcing big corporations to pay royalties on the gas they currently access for free.

The Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT), introduced in 1987, is meant to ensure that the public gets a fair share of the unearned revenue (rent) enjoyed by companies by virtue of having exclusive access to Commonwealth resources. 

The Greens today announced their commitment to providing people in rural and regional communities with access to free mental and dental health care through Medicare.

The commitment is part of the Greens’ broader $77.6 billion investment into free dental care over the decade for all Australians, which was also announced today. Under the plan, people will still be able to choose their dentist and routine and therapeutic dental services will be bulk-billed or rebated.

The Australian Greens will today launch their plan to get dental into Medicare, a move which would benefit more than a million South Australians.

Under the plan, Australians will be able to go to the dentist and use their Medicare card, just like at the GP. Everyone entitled to Medicare will be able to get Medicare-funded dental care and orthodontic treatment as well as oral surgeries, periodontics and prosthodontics.

In a major address outlining the party’s election platform, Adam Bandt will announce the Greens’ plan to get dental into Medicare at the National Press Club in Canberra today.

The Greens leader will outline how the party is on track to hold the balance of power after the election, and will say the party’s priorities are taking climate action by stopping new coal and gas mines, and tackling the cost of living by getting dental and mental health into Medicare, fixing the housing crisis and wiping student debt.

The Australian Greens have today recommitted to their plan to make telehealth a permanent feature of our healthcare system.

If the Greens enter a balance of power arrangement after the election, they will push to invest $772 million over the forward estimates into expanding and strengthening telehealth services.

With First Nations vaccination rates lagging across Western Australia and the state’s  largest remote First Nations community now in lockdown, The Greens have today again called on the WA Government to lift vaccination rates for First Nations people.

The Greens (WA) are committed to ensuring everyone is able to access health supports when they need it.  

The Greens (WA) are calling on the WA State Government to commit to providing people with more support before opening up Western Australia to interstate and international visitors.

The 11 point plan, announced by Australian Greens Health Spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John and Greens (WA) Health Spokesperson Brad Pettitt MLC, will ensure everyone is able to access prevention measures, and the financial and health supports they need to recover from COVID-19. 

Decisions made by successive governments have resulted in health inequality. Whether you’ve been here for 5 years, 5 generations or 5 000 generations, everyone should enjoy the same access to healthcare in this country. 

COVID-19 put a spotlight on the fact that many First Nations communities need better access to health services, and the health centres they rely on need more resources to empower First Nations people to get what they need to be and stay well. 

The Australian Greens have today announced their plan to make Telehealth a permanent part of our healthcare system, investing $772 million over the forward estimates into our healthcare system.

Telehealth has been widely available since March 2020 and has enabled many people to access healthcare on the phone or by video conference. The changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule that enabled these appointments are set to end on 31st December 2021.

Greens spokesperson on Health and Mental Health Senator Jordon Steele-John said: