Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Treasurer's assertion that Australians with a number of chronic diseases are not affected by the GP tax. There are one million Australians with diabetes. Someone diagnosed with the disease must visit the GP every week for a number of months and then at least four times every year. Can the Prime Minister confirm this patient would be billed using GP consultation item B23 and the GP tax would apply?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How can members opposite seriously say that a modest co-payment for visiting the GP will stop sick people from visiting the doctor, when they do not contend that a modest co-payment for the PBS is no such disincentive?

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There will be silence on my left, and that includes the member for Moreton!

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask you, Madam Speaker, how can they say that co-payments for Medicare are wrong and co-payments for the PBS are right? They simply cannot sustain the logic of their position. Their position is simply untenable. Now we have this slightly sad attempt by members opposite to say that people are going to be deprived of vital health treatment because of the same modest co-payment on Medicare that people have always faced in respect of the PBS. Let me read something: 'Is anyone seriously suggesting that, in the circumstance you're talking about, where there is the possibility—'

Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The question was completely without mantra.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I did notice that. It was an improvement.

Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was capable of being answered with a yes or no. The question is whether the Medicare item number would apply.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Throsby, if he reads the standing orders, will see there is no provision to demand a yes/no answer. The Prime Minister has the call.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am quoting something that is very relevant: 'Is anyone seriously suggesting that, in the circumstance you're talking about, where there is the possibility of breast cancer, that is going to stop them going to the doctor? I mean, that is emotionalism being played at the lowest level.' That was Prime Minister Bob Hawke, a real Labor leader, unlike this tawdry excuse for a leader sitting opposite.