Thursday, 30 October 2025

 Tim BULL (Gippsland East) (09:44): I want to raise a matter for the Minister for Health, who I know is here at the table. An East Gippsland man was flown to Melbourne by air for emergency heart treatment. After 11 days he was discharged. He had no way of getting home. He lives alone, and non-emergency transport could not be arranged. Cabrini is not supported by public transport, so a taxi was organised, and he was charged $615. He had to pay on the spot. Luckily he had the money; many would not. After two Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) claims, he received just $120, leaving the bill at $495 for the taxi. The weekly age pension is $589. Minister, can you make provision for higher levels of reimbursement for patients in these situations?