Chaos during Question Time as dozens of white-clad pharmacists leave parliament and harass the government as ‘liars’
Pharmacists and their allies have stormed out of parliament, harassing the government during chaotic scenes as ‘liars’ to start the new session week.
Health Secretary Mark Butler was on Monday in House Question Time outlining the government’s policy on cheaper drugs when he drew the wrath of dozens of protesters – all dressed in white – in the viewing gallery.
Seconds after Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley accused the government of “snatching thousands of dollars from the community pharmacy,” all the white coats stood up at once and stormed out of the room.
The group jeered and jeered at the government, with some raising their middle fingers while others gave a ‘thumbs down’ sign.
Cries of “liars” echoed through the hall of protesters as Speaker Milton Dick tried in vain to put the House in order.
The protesters were joined by the opposition, who also started shouting at the government, pointing fingers and drawing attention to the gallery.
The protesters were joined by the opposition, who also started shouting at the government, pointing fingers and drawing attention to the gallery.
It was the second burst from the gallery and prompted swift action from guards, who helped lead the protesters out of the viewing area and then stood on the steps.
House of Representatives leader Tony Burke later claimed that parliamentary staff were ‘subjected to verbal abuse from members of the public gallery’ – a situation that will now be assessed.
Mr Dick said: ‘I warned those in the gallery early in Question Time today that they should not take part or interfere during Question Time.
“Because of their behavior, they left the room. I want to say this in the future – there will be no interjections from the gallery.
“That won’t happen again for the rest of this week—and for the rest of my time as chairman.”
These demonstrators had previously gathered in front of Parliament House to protest against the government’s new prescription dispensing policy.
The policy will see patients get 60-day PBS prescriptions for the same price as their current 30-day scripts, a move pharmacists fear will force them to let staff go and even shut up.
But four million Australians with chronic health conditions are expected to benefit.
Mr Butler said the program would provide much-needed cost relief for people to get the care they need.
“People with a Medicare card who buy just one of these drugs save up to $180 each year. Concession card holders save $43.80 a year on each eligible drug,” he said.
The group booed and jeered at the government, with some raising their middle fingers while others gave a ‘thumbs down’ sign
The Pharmacy Guild has consistently opposed the dispensing framework, claiming it will force local pharmacies in regional areas to close.
Previously, Nationals Leader David Littleproud had met with these protesters and thanked them for being “the heroes of the pandemic.”
He said: ‘The men and women who remained in our communities and are now being thrown out by this government because it is politically expedient and saves them money.
“What kind of government does that to the health care workers who helped us through one of the greatest challenges this country has ever faced since World War II? But for The Nationals, I want to say this is very personal.”
Mr Littleproud is concerned about the viability of up to 400 pharmacies that are the ‘last line of defense of primary health care’ in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia.
The Pharmacy Guild – which strongly opposes the policy – released a statement distancing itself from the protesters immediately after the chaos.
“The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is not and has never been involved in the organization of events in Canberra,” the statement said.