Federal Labor is demanding a string of changes to the way Australia's new cervical cancer screening program is to be rolled out, insisting it's been "bungled" by the government.
From May 1, the two-yearly Pap test will be replaced by an improved five-yearly cervical screening test administered by one national register, along with the bowel cancer screening program.
Telstra Health has won the contract to run the register but Labor and doctors' groups are concerned about a for-profit company having access to sensitive medical data.
Labor will seek to amend the legislation to ensure only the government or a not-for-profit can run the register.
Several of its amendments address concerns raised by Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim, who told a Senate inquiry last week the legislation should be changed to limit what medical data Telstra Health could access.
Telstra Health has warned the legislation must be passed by October 30 if it's to meet the May 1 deadline.
Labor insists it doesn't want to delay the legislation.
"These amendments are critical because of the government's unprecedented decision to hand sensitive health information to Telstra - a corporation with no experience in running a register like this," opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King said.
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