Griff, Sen Stirling

Senator GRIFF (South Australia) (14:30): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Scullion. Prior to 1 July this year, vocationally registered and non-vocationally registered doctors were paid the same amount for GP mental health services. Non-VR doctors have the same patient responsibilities and the same university qualifications as VR doctors, so it made sense that there was no difference in their Medicare rebate for mental health services. Can the minister confirm that the government has now reduced by $25 the reimbursement amount for non-VR general practitioners who provide mental health treatment, and the reason for doing this?