Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. According to the Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association, the Prime Minister's decision to abolish bulk-billing incentives will mean that women who were previously bulk billed will now pay up-front costs of up to $712 to diagnose breast cancer. Why is the Prime Minister determined to wreck Medicare and increase costs for women to have breast cancer diagnosed?

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

The government's proposal is for a very modest $7 co-payment on visits to GPs. A $7 co-payment is what we are putting forward. We think that a modest co-payment—

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The question is not about the GP tax; it is about diagnostic imaging. The Prime Minister is not at all being directly relevant to diagnostic imaging.

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

The question is about bulk-billing. The Prime Minister has the call.

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

The only change the government is proposing is a $7 co-payment. How can it be unfair to have a $7 co-payment—

Mr Champion interjecting—

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

The member for Wakefield is warned!

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

on GP visits when members opposite think that pensioners should face a $6 co-payment when they go to the pharmacist for their PBS drugs? What we are proposing is fair, it was reasonable. It was first introduced by Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

Ms Claydon interjecting—

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

The member for Newcastle is warned!

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

As a result of policies, it was supported by the member for Jagajaga and, as we know, by the member for Fraser. It is good policy and it will help to keep our great Medicare system sustainable.