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

This government's attacks on Medicare are starting to be felt in our community, particularly in relation to the Medicare rebate being frozen until 2017. I would just like to read out a letter that a constituent in my electorate has received in relation to her daughter accessing psychology and psychological services in Bendigo. The letter states:

Our current rate for consultations is based on the Medicare Rebate amount, however, this rate has been frozen by the government until 2017. This means that … Consulting's income remains the same, while the cost of running a business increases.

This is why we, regretfully, have increased our consultation fee to $165

The letter goes on to explain that you will have to have that money to pay up-front before you are able to access their services. If you qualify for the Medicare rebate, you will then be refunded after the consultation and still be out of pocket $40.

This is what is happening in our community as a result of this government's attacks on Medicare. There are not too many young people who are seeking help that have $165 in their bank account to access vital services. These are young people who are the most vulnerable in our community. I call on the government to rethink this policy because it is hurting kids in our region—kids who are seeking help.