This week on Q+A we cover the big issues, including health, equality and the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. As the situation in Gaza deteriorates and Israel steps up its response against Hamas, there are increased calls for humanitarian pauses to the conflict. Will the increasing international pressure have any effect?

Médecins Sans Frontières is among those calling for a ceasefire, as doctors struggle to treat the injured with limited medical equipment or anaesthetic. Aid convoys have kept up a limited delivery of muchneeded supplies, but they are far short of the growing demands. What does this mean for a civilian population already at the brink?

Here at home, the government is grappling with the issue of vaping, amid reports that it’s reaching epidemic levels among young people. It’s a looming health catastrophe, but how effective will regulation be with a thriving black market?

And a longawaited increase to the bulkbilling incentive has begun, but will it lead to better access to feefree GP visits for some of the nation’s most vulnerable?

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Panellists: Minister for Health & Aged Care Mark Butler, Independent MP for Fowler Dai Le, Liberal Member for Menzies Keith Wolahan, Executive Director, Médecins Sans Frontières Australia Jennifer Tierney & Journalist, Guardian Australia Matilda Boseley.

This episode was broadcast on Monday November 6, 2023

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Q+A is a television discussion program that focuses mostly on politics but ranges across all of the big issues that set Australians thinking, talking and debating.

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