Australian Greens health spokesperson and Co-convenor of the Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy and Law Reform, Dr Richard Di Natale, said today that he was pleased to join with Senate colleagues from across the political spectrum to introduce a bill that will make medicinal cannabis available for people who need it.

“This bill is about giving people access to medicine that provides relief from severe pain and suffering,” said Senator Di Natale, a former GP.

The Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has today tabled its final report into an exposure draft of federal dying with dignity legislation. The bill was drafted and introduced by Australian Greens health spokesperson and former GP, Senator Richard Di Natale.

“The most significant thing to come out of this report is the recommendation from all committee members for a conscience vote,” said Senator Di Natale.

“The Prime Minister and Labor must now confirm that they will grant a conscience vote on this issue.

Greens Senator requests consular assistance for Ebola mission

Australian Greens Health Spokesperson and former public health specialist, Dr Richard Di Natale, wrote to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop today seeking consular assistance for a field trip to West Africa.  

The Senate has supported a Greens' Order for Production of Documents, demanding that the Immigration Minister table any expert advice he received before announcing his blanket ban on West African refugees.

"This cruel, senseless ban is embarrassing Australia on a global scale and the Minister has to explain himself," the Greens immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"The Parliament deserves to know what advice, if any, the Minister received before making this shameful announcement."

Australian Greens Health Spokesperson and former public health professional, Dr Richard Di Natale, today questioned the Federal Government’s Chief Health Officer about what training that has been provided to Australian health personnel that could be deployed to combat Ebola in our region.

“The Prime Minister has flown to Papua New Guinea to discuss preparations should Ebola reach our region however this morning we have learned that Australia’s health personnel have not yet received the specific training required for deployment in the field,” said Senator Di Natale.

Australian Greens Health Spokesperson and former GP, Dr Richard Di Natale, said today that the Abbott Government’s plan to replace 61 Medicare Locals with 30 Primary Healthcare Networks was a backward step.

“The value of Medicare locals is that they helped to coordinate health services in a unique way so that they cater for local needs,” said Senator Di Natale, Deputy Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Health.

“Replacing 61 Medicare Locals with 30 larger Primary Healthcare Networks undermines the capacity for local coordination.

Australian Greens health spokesperson and Co-convenor of the Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy and Law Reform, Dr Richard Di Natale, said today that a medicinal cannabis trial falls short of the reform we need.

“I welcome the fact that every government in the country now recognises that we need to change our approach to medicinal cannabis but a trial alone is not enough,” said Senator Di Natale, a former GP.

Waiting times at South Australian emergency departments will triple if the Abbott Government's $7 GP co-payment is introduced, the SA Health department told a Senate inquiry today.

Australian Greens health spokesperson and former GP, Dr Richard Di Natale, said today that the Senate Select Committee on Health has heard damning evidence about the impacts of the Abbott Government’s health policies.

“The combination of the Abbott Government’s health policies would be nothing short of disastrous for our health system and the community,” said Senator Di Natale, Deputy Chair of the Committee.