Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

After nine long years of neglect and cuts to Medicare, it has never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor than it is right now, because, after the now Leader of the Opposition failed to get his GP tax through the parliament—a tax that would have ended bulk-billing forever and for everyone—he imposed a freeze on the MBS rebate for six long years, a freeze that has baked in an ongoing cut to Medicare of more than $500 million each and every year. No wonder gap fees skyrocketed under this government.

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