Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise to let the House know about an article that appeared in one of my local papers, the Midland Express. It is titled 'Doctors speak out,' and they are speaking out about the $7 GP tax. The article reads: 'The Castlemaine Medical Group, representing the 21 general practitioners of Castlemaine, has written to Prime Minister expressing their dismay and disappointment at the government's budget plan to introduce a $7 general practice co-payment.'

In the letter they state that general practice is the foundation of the Australian healthcare system and the first point of contact for patients seeking medical help or advice. They say the co-payment will abolish access to universal health care and will seriously jeopardise the equity of access within the system. I agree with the GPs. The GPs in my community are speaking out.

The chair of the staff association, Cathy Foley, said that the group had put a lot of thought into the letter. She said, 'As the chair, we hold grave concerns that the proposed government changes to Medicare, particularly the co-payment, will hurt patients who require bulk-billing—bulk-billing to ensure that their health is not compromised. They are worried that access to health care will be compromised for the community, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The letter says that the government is failing to keep its election promise of no funding cuts to health. I agree with the words of my local GPs and the GPs in Castlemaine. (Time expired)