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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Today's Sydney Morning Herald carries an article headed '"Copayment by stealth" could push up cost of GP trips, says Owler'. Can the Prime Minister confirm his four-year Medicare rebate freeze will mean patients will be hit with a new $8 GP tax every time they visit the doctor?

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

I welcome this question from the shadow minister for health. I am very happy to tell her that, as a result of this year's budget, there will be a net increase of $2.3 billion in health spending next year. There will be $2.3 billion more spent by this Commonwealth on health next year than there was this year—a $2.3 billion investment in better health services from this government. I am also pleased to tell the shadow minister for health that, over the next four years, hospital funding will increase by 25 per cent or $3.8 billion.

Ms Ryan interjecting—

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

The member for Lalor is not in her seat.

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

There is good news for health from this government. She does not want to hear it though, obviously.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order: relevance. The question was about the MBS indexation freeze—a GP tax of $8.

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

There is no point of order. The member will resume her seat.

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

There is a lot of good news for health and for patients in this year's budget. There is $1.3 billion over four years invested in new medicines and vaccines, including the listing of new drugs to help Australians beat melanoma, breast cancer and blindness. That is the good news for health in this budget—$1.3 billion in new drugs to help Australians beat melanoma, breast cancer and blindness. There is $485 million to reform the eHealth scheme that members opposite so mishandled. There is $200 million in funding support for state and territory governments to improve dental services and there is $100 million over four years to improve Australia's capability to quickly and effectively respond to health risks posed by natural disasters. This is a good budget for health. The shadow minister for health, like the Leader of the Opposition, is still responding to last year's document. Come on! The future is now. It is not last year. They think that not only is the future now, but last year is the present. That is why they are still asking us about last year's budget. Come on. Get real. Welcome to 2015.

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

Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table the Medical Journal of Australia which shows there is an $8.43 GP tax in this year's budget.

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

Leave is not granted.