Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

It is clear that Senator Colbeck has not bothered to listen to my answer. For the benefit of the coalition, and particularly for the benefit of Senator Colbeck, we absolutely support the private health insurance rebate, as we always have and always said we would. We want to give people incentives to take out private health insurance—note: incentives, not penalties. If you were serious about this issue, you would also ensure that the Medicare surcharge levy measure will be passed. But I do not think you are serious about it at all, quite frankly. The government considers that it is imperative to do these important things, unlike the coalition when they were in office. (Time expired)