Senator CICCONE (Victoria—Deputy Government Whip in the Senate) (15:08): It was interesting to listen to the contribution from Senator Scarr because I think maybe Senator Scarr and those opposite forget that, when they were last in government, they acted on advice that was provided by the expert Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Similar advice on this very matter was provided to the previous government five years ago, but that advice was ignored. For five years, as a result of the previous government's inertia, millions of Australians have been shelling out twice as much as they needed to for medications. The previous government were happy to see families, pensioners and people with chronic health conditions pay more for their medicines, ignoring the advice from many health experts around this country. Federal Labor is making medicines cheaper for millions of Australians, and we're very proud to do so. We know that making medicines cheaper is good, not just for the hip pockets of Australians but it's also good for their health. At a time where there are increasing cost-of-living pressures, I think this is a reasonable policy to put to the Australian people, through our budget, in terms of why we're addressing the Medicare and medicines fiascos that were left by those opposite. Just to be clear, too: it sounds like those opposite are saying that this government hasn't consulted. That's far from the truth. In fact, not only have we consulted but there's a list of many health professions right across the country which support our policy: Arthritis Australia, Diabetes Australia, the health foundation, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the National Rural Health Alliance, the Rural Doctors Association, the Council on the Ageing and the Breast Cancer Network Australia. Plus, the Australian Medical Association has said that this policy is a win for patients and: It should lead to better medicines adherence and ultimately better health outcomes, with reduced pressure on the health system. Further, the president of the— Senator Scarr: What does the Prime Minister's own pharmacist say? Senator CICCONE: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has said: This change has been recommended because it is in the best interests of patients, and I am pleased that the Government has heeded the expert advice. Senator Scarr, listen to the experts! Senator Scarr: What does the Prime Minister's own pharmacist say? The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Scarr! Senator CICCONE: Further, the policy has been welcomed by the Consumers Health Forum of Australia, who have said that the policy shows that government is listening to health consumers, and, 'Every single dollar saved in a pharmacy is more money that can be spent on groceries and rent.' And the list keeps going and going. There was another matter also raised today: we heard a question about housing. It's really surprising—I would have thought, after what happened last week, that when the Liberal party came back into this chamber they would have seen some sense. Why would they line up with the Australian Greens in blocking housing—more money for social housing? The Liberals, Nationals and the Greens are now all seeking to justify their unjustifiable opposition to the Labor Party's Housing Australia Future Fund. This comes after the coalition and the Greens teamed up once more this morning to delay investment in affordable housing. Sadly, people who are now living on the streets will suffer another four months because of those opposite teaming up with the Greens. They're now going to be homeless again for another four months. What a shameful, cynical and political act in the midst of rising cost-of-living pressures. It's something I would have expected back in the old days at the National Union of Students, where we had the Trots teaming up with the conservatives after being out all night at God knows where. This is the behaviour of student politicians and it's still happening in this building. Grow up! I say to those opposite: grow up! We're adults in this room, and let's deliver real, genuine policy that can make a difference for millions of Australians who are doing it tough out there on the streets. Both the Greens and the coalition love to stand up in here and say that the government isn't doing enough to support Australians. Well, join us in $10 billion in affordable housing! But let's be clear: you cannot say that you support more social and affordable housing but oppose the future fund. It's hardly surprising to see that the coalition is in this position again, but the Greens are a bunch of hypocrites too. We have to look at their own record: councillors across very many metropolitan cities around Australia are opposing reasonable development—reasonable development that will put the roofs over many, many people's heads in this country. (Time expired)