TRANSCRIPT
ABC RADIO NATIONAL BREAKFAST
16 June 2025
Topics: Monash IVF, review into Australia’s IVF sector, Grattan Institute report into specialist doctors, AUKUS
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SALLY SARA: In a united push to restore public trust and integrity in the sector, Australia's health ministers have agreed to a rapid review of IVF accreditation, potentially paving the way for an independent verification body for fertility providers. IVF is a sector which serves millions of Australians. Joining me now to discuss is the Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Anne Ruston. Anne Ruston, welcome back to radio national breakfast.
ANNE RUSTON: Thanks, Sally.
SALLY SARA: Firstly to this rapid review, is that enough in your view or should an independent regulator be implemented immediately given the seriousness of those incidents reported by Monash IVF?
ANNE RUSTON: Well, look, firstly, we do need to acknowledge the very serious nature of the breaches that we have become aware of over the last few months and are very concerning, and obviously our thoughts go to the families who've been impacted because it would have been very horrific for them. Look, as long as the review is rapid and as long as the review is implemented after it has been rapidly undertaken, then it's appropriate that the review is undertaken. Possibly it should have been done a while ago when we saw the first incident become publicly aware, but just as long as the review is actually implemented, I think Australians would be looking to have the confidence in our IVF system restored as quickly as possible. And so, I would say to this review, just get on with the job and make sure that we do what we need to do to give confidence back to Australian families who are trying to have families.
SALLY SARA: And it affects, you know, so many Australians. People are either going through IVF themselves, they have a family member or close friend who is, and the number of kids in Australia that are conceived with some reproductive assistance is very large. Are you concerned that the body that currently accredits fertility care providers, the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee, are you concerned that that's made up of fertility care providers themselves?
ANNE RUSTON: Well, look, obviously, concerns have been raised around the voluntary basis under which professionals within the sector are actually undertaking, I suppose, the assessment of this sector itself, which is why this review is so necessary. Because, first of all, as I say, we need to get confidence back in the sector. But we also need to make sure that we've got national consistency and that Australians have got all the information that they need when they're embarking on this very important journey as part of their life. So, I think there is no doubt at all that there is a lack of confidence at the moment and we need to have stronger regulations that will provide that confidence and if that is an independent body, well that's probably a good thing.
SALLY SARA: You're listening to Radio National Breakfast and you're hearing from Anne Ruston, the Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care. A couple of other quick issues before we run out of time. Today the Grattan Institute has released a report finding that some specialist doctors are charging up to two to three times of the Medicare scheduled fees. The report has made several recommendations including the Federal Government removing Medicare funding from specialists who are charging these excessive fees and naming them publicly. Does the Opposition support that approach?
ANNE RUSTON: Well, the one thing that we absolutely support is that Australians should be able to get access to affordable and easy access to the health care that they need, and I think that we should be looking at new and innovative ways that Australians can get access to advice and the care that they need. Most importantly, I think there is a lack of transparency. I think Australians find it very difficult to find out what the costs and the processes that are surrounding getting access to care, whether that be primary care or specialist care. So, I think we do need to be very focused on making sure that Australians have got the information, but most particularly, that they can afford the healthcare they need. Because, quite frankly, if we do not focus on a primary care system where Australians can get access to this, because right now it's never been more expensive or harder to see a doctor, we're going to end up with an Australia that's much sicker than it needs to be.
SALLY SARA: So Senator, just bringing you back to the specifics of this recommendation, removing Medicare funding from specialists who charge excessive fees and naming them publicly, do you support that particular recommendation?
ANNE RUSTON: Well, I think it goes back to that issue of transparency, Sara, that I think Australians - we should have a mechanism by which Australians know what they're being charged before they go to the doctor, that they can shop around and decide whether they want to go and see a doctor who is charging these exceedingly higher costs than other doctors. But we also need to make sure that there are other innovative ways. There were a number of recommendations out of that Grattan Institute report that I think are worthy of consideration and I'd like to sit down and go through the full report, because Australians do need to get access to affordable health care and right now they're not.
SALLY SARA: Finally, quickly on AUKUS, you're a senator for South Australia where the nuclear-powered submarines will be built under the AUKUS agreement. What are your thoughts on the Pentagon's review of this pact as it concerns you?
ANNE RUSTON: Look, anything that could potentially delay or downgrade the US commitment to our agreement in relation to our future defence capability is of a concern to me and I would imagine it's of concern to all Australians. So, we wish the Prime Minister well in his discussions with the US over the coming days, because nothing could be more important than the security and the defence of our nation, particularly as we head into a time that is probably more unstable than it's been since the Second World War.
SALLY SARA: Anne Ruston, thank you again for your time this morning.
ANNE RUSTON: Thanks, Sally.
ENDS
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