The Federal Government faces an uphill battle to get key budget savings through Parliament after Labor and Clive Palmer both said they would oppose the introduction of a GP co-payment.
This morning Mr Palmer said his Palmer United Party (PUP) would “definitely” oppose the Government’s proposed introduction of a $7 fee to see a doctor.
The introduction of GP co-payment fees was a key plank of last night’s budget, and is expected to save the Government $3.4 billion over five years – money which will go towards setting up a new fund for medical research.
Mr Palmer, whose party will hold key crossbench seats when the new Senate sits from July 1, said this morning that he would oppose the introduction of the co-payment.
“We’ll definitely oppose the co-payment,” he told ABC News Breakfast this morning.
“You imagine being a pensioner and earning $300 a week and you’re 87 and you’ve got to go to the doctor four or five times a week.
“That takes up one-third of your income because of the co-payment.
“I care about Australians and I’m not going to back down.”
Mr Palmer also confirmed that his party would oppose the debt tax on high-income earners, saying the case for it was based on a “lie”.
“The debt tax we’ll oppose because there’s no reason for it,” he said.
“It’s based on a false premise; we’re not in a debt crisis.
“If the Prime Minister can show where we’re in debt and out of step with the rest of the OECD I’ll consider it. But it’s not, it’s just a lie.”
Labor has also confirmed it will vote against the debt tax, with shadow treasurer Chris Bowen saying: “Your health should not be determined by your wealth.”
This morning Opposition Leader Bill Shorten again confirmed Labor would vote against the GP payments and would also oppose changes to pensions and hikes in fuel tax, but said the debt tax was not a priority issue for Labor.
VIDEO: Budget ‘based on lies’, says Clive Palmer
Source: ABC