Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

I hear members on the other side of the House supporting the GP tax. I can tell them that the Consumers Health Forum of Australia has warned that the proposed tax will reduce access to health care and see people delay their doctor visits. Under the Howard government, the bulk-billing rate in Shortland was less than 60 per cent. Now it is almost 80 per cent. If this proposed GP tax goes ahead, however, it will erode the benefits of bulk billing. It will also mean that more people will visit their local hospital emergency unit—in order to avoid paying the GP tax. The tax will not help our public health system. It will simply put more pressure on our already stretched health services.

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