Greens’ spokesperson for health, Senator Richard Di Natale has congratulated Tanya Plibersek on her appointment as Minister for Health, but has cautioned her on dental reform.

“I very much look forward to working with Minister Plibersek and I am pleased to see that she has flagged dental reform as a priority for the government.

“We agree with Minister Plibersek that the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme needs reform, but I would caution the Minister against trying to close down the scheme.

Motion co-sponsored by Senator Richard Di Natale, taken from Hansard 24 November 2011

The "year of decision and delivery" is quickly coming to an end and the Prime Minister is determined to get the government's mining tax passed through the House of Representative this week before the summer break of Parliament. The Senate would then deal with the legislation when Parliament resumes in 2012.

The "year of decision and delivery" is quickly coming to an end and the Prime Minister is determined to get the government's mining tax passed through the House of Representative this week before the summer break of Parliament. The Senate would then deal with the legislation when Parliament resumes in 2012.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown spoke to media in Hobart about the government's 'mini-budget' announcement. He also discussed the upcoming visit to Australia by U.S. President Barack Obama.

Greens Leader Bob Brown says that if a mini budget is handed down by the Government it should avoid large scale spending cuts because they are unnecessary.

"Australia is in the middle of a huge mining boom.  We are one of the richest countries on Earth at the wealthiest time in history," Senator Brown said.

"A mini budget should address the revenue options available to the Government such as increasing the mining tax, ending fossil fuel subsidies and abandoning the corporate tax cut for big business.

Greens’ spokesperson for health, Senator Richard Di Natale, has welcomed new research which backs the Greens’ Denticare policy.

The Association for the Promotion of Oral Health has today released research which shows that Medicare Dental becomes less expensive over time.

“This research demonstrates that the Greens’ Denticare policy is sustainable and economically responsible.

“As the research shows, the cost of Denticare would shrink once the system has overcome the comprehensive treatment required to deal with the poor oral health of Australians.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and Senator for Victoria Richard Di Natale, health spokesperson, outlined the Greens' national dental care proposals at a press conference in Canberra today.

Other topics included the Government's political commitment to a budget surplus in 2012-13, the Nationals' "policy" on coal seam gas, and the watered-down mining tax.

Millions of Australians can’t afford to see a dentist.

Untreated dental disease affects people’s health and wellbeing.

The Greens’ plan to bring dental care into Medicare means the mouth is treated like any other part of the body.

Dental health care in crisis 

Australia's oral health is poor. A third of people say they can’t afford to go to the dentist, or delay going to the dentist because of the cost. This results in an unnecessary burden on the health system. 7-10% of GP visits are due untreated dental problems.