Jill Hall (Shortland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The one word we did not hear pass the lips of the Treasurer on budget night was Medicare, but that does not mean it is not under attack. We in this place have all learnt that it is not what the Treasurer says but what the Treasurer does that is important. The one thing that he did not do was left the freeze on the Medicare rebate. The freeze is still there. What does that mean to Australians when they go to the doctor? It means that the GP tax are still there. It is alive and well and will cost Australians in the vicinity of $8 when they go to the GP.

Mr Hockey was being mean and tricky, as we know Mr Hockey can be mean and tricky. He is getting the doctors to collect the tax for the government. I have to share with the House that, under this government, bulk-billing will fall. When the Prime Minister was health minister bulk-billing in Shortland electorate was less than 60 per cent. When Labor was in power it was up over 80 per cent. We all know that despite the words of the Prime Minister, he is not the best friend that Medicare ever had. (Time expired)

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