Andrew Murray (WA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

Over many years, I have consistently supported means testing of the private health rebate. I recall that the Democrats have, at least a couple of times, moved amendments to implement means testing—and I am relying on memory—at about the level of $100,000 income. I do not believe the wealthy should get this tax concession, but neither do I believe that the entire private health rebate scheme should be withdrawn, because I believe it is a useful additional support for lower and middle-income Australians. I should mention that, for as long as Medicare does not cover off areas like dental health, private health insurance has an enormous role to play. I do agree that it should not apply to the wealthy. However, I cannot support the Greens amendments.