Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

As I was saying before question time, I strongly support the change to the Lifetime Health Cover scheme, whereby people who have retained private health insurance for over 10 years would no longer be subject to Lifetime Health Cover loading, even if they did not take out private health insurance before the age of 31. I also support the 30 per cent private health insurance rebate, as I am aware that many Australian families would not be able to afford private health insurance without it.

It is important that consumers have some input into which additional services they would like to be covered by private health insurance. This would ensure that the changes are reflecting Australians’ needs and priorities. I believe it is imperative that a range of health decisions start being made that focus on prevention measures and keeping people out of our clogged hospital system. This legislation can be the foundation for this to happen. Furthermore, allowing private health insurance to cover chronic disease management is certainly a solid step forward.

Labor believe that spending money on health is important, because we care about people and we care about improving the health system. However, we believe that spending on health has to be managed well to ensure that every dollar is spent well. Under this legislation proposed by the Howard government, only people who can afford private health insurance will benefit. What about everyone else? Everyone else has been put in the ‘too hard basket’, which is a testament to the last 11 long years of this arrogant Howard government.