Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy 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 people who were previously bulk-billed will now pay upfront costs of up to $1,326 for a thyroid cancer diagnosis. Why is the Prime Minister determined to destroy Medicare and slug Australians more to have their thyroid cancer diagnosed?

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

Why is the Deputy Leader of the Opposition accusing Bob Hawke of wanting to destroy Medicare? Because it was Bob Hawke who first proposed a Medicare co-payment—it is true.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order on the issue of relevance. This is not about the GP tax co-payment; it is about the abolition of the bulk-billing incentive.

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

This is not an opportunity—

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He was a health minister. He should—

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

The member will resume her seat. A point of order is not an invitation to stand up and debate one's own question—and it is time the Deputy Leader of the Opposition knew it. The Prime Minister has the call.

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

We are replacing the bulk-billing incentive.

Mr Husic interjecting—

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

The member for Chifley will leave under 94(a).

The member for Chifley then left the chamber.

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

We are replacing the bulk-billing incentive with a low-gap incentive. That is what we are doing.

Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Not for general patients.

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

The member for Ballarat will desist or leave.

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

The claims by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are simply false. They are simply false.