FARRER MP Sussan Ley has applauded Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's decision to scrap knights and dames from the Order of Australia honours system.
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The move came less than two months after Mr Turnbull replaced Tony Abbott as Prime Minister with the former leader responsible for reinstating them in March last year.
Mr Abbott's subsequent decision to appoint Prince Philip a knight on Australia Day this year was a factor in him ultimately being replaced by Mr Turnbull.
The Prime Minister confirmed on Monday that cabinet had recently agreed knights and dames were "not appropriate in our modern honours system".
Ms Ley agreed.
"It struck a note with the public that made it very clear to me it was the wrong decision when it was made," she said.
"It is now the right decision.
"I don't think the Prime Minister is making a particularly big deal about it.
"But it is time to change to it.
"We needed to listen to what people believed about this initiative and they didn't like it."
Asked whether this was another example of the government preparing for an early election, Ms Ley said: "Definitely not.
"There is too much to do."
Meanwhile, Ms Ley, in her role as health minister, has raised serious concerns about the misuse of taxpayer-funded chronic disease management plans by medical practices for personal financial gain.
Incorrect Medicare claims worth millions of dollars have been ordered to be repaid.
A report confirms referrals to the professional services review for investigation increased 40 per cent in 2014-15.
As part of investigations, some individual practitioners had ordered between 600 and 1000 chronic disease management items each last year alone.
"It underscores the importance of us making sure taxpayers get the best possible investment for their dollar," Ms Ley said.
Ms Ley was joined in her electorate on Monday by assistant minister for science, Karen Andrews, for a tour of Charles Sturt University's centre for community engagement and wellness.
The purpose-built facility for allied health professions is located at the Thurgoona campus of CSU as part of its school of community health which provides training opportunities in a clinical environment for podiatry and physiotherapy students.
"One of the key focuses of my job is to look at science, technology, engineering and maths skills and increase the base of those skills," Ms Andrews said.
