Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Bill 2009 will amend the A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Act 1999 to give effect to the recent budget measure to introduce three new private health insurance incentives tiers.

The bill will commence immediately after the commencement of the Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Act 2009.

The A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Act 1999 determines whether an individual is liable to pay the Medicare levy surcharge in respect of a reportable fringe benefits total they or their spouse may have. The individual’s income for surcharge purposes determines whether a person must pay the surcharge. If the individual’s income exceeds prescribed income thresholds they will need to pay the appropriate level of surcharge.

This bill inserts the new tier system in order to determine which level of surcharge a person must pay where they do not hold appropriate private health insurance.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Mr Haase) adjourned.