What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill lets specially trained and endorsed registered nurses prescribe certain medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, so patients pay the subsidised price. These nurses must work under a prescribing agreement with a doctor or nurse practitioner, and their prescribing is subject to peer review. The debate focused on access to care in regional areas, patient safety safeguards, and whether podiatrists should be included too.
Arguments made in support
Government members said nurses are highly trained but underused, and letting them prescribe will cut waits for GP visits and take pressure off emergency departments.
Speakers said this will help people in rural and remote areas, where nurses are often the only health workers nearby.
Supporters said the model was developed through years of consultation since 2017 and has safeguards, including training, mentoring and oversight.
The government said nurses can already prescribe under the new standard, so the bill makes those medicines affordable for patients.
The Coalition, Greens, One Nation and most crossbench members supported the bill.
Arguments made against, or for changes
The Nationals said the model is untested and moved to require a state trial first, adding there is no funding model for primary care.
Independent Sophie Scamps, citing doctors' groups, moved to bar nurse prescribers from prescribing addictive Schedule 8 drugs and require prescription monitoring.
Senator Alex Antic opposed the bill, citing risks of fragmented care, missed diagnoses and added liability for nurses.
The Senate voted to also let podiatrists prescribe under the scheme. The government rejected this, saying that work is unfinished, and the Senate backed down.
The Coalition said the government has not formally responded to its own scope of practice review and its approach is piecemeal.
87 speeches by 55 members in the House and Senate over 10 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 26 Nov 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 3 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 4 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 5 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 5 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 1 Apr 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 30 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 1 July 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 1 July 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 2 July 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Australia's Voice
0 Yes
0 No
1–
The last column counts members who did not vote. Party counts are for current members.
2 votes were cast by people who have since left Parliament.
Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.