Prime Minister Tony Abbott has indicated he is open to the “refinement” of the GP co-payment for medical visits – a key component of his Government’s budget measures.
After preliminary discussions with some cross-benchers Mr Abbott says he is confident the budget will pass and appeared open to negotiations.
“Governments get their budgets through, that’s what governments do. And sometimes there might be a little bit of refinement here and refinement there but budgets are passed by the Parliament … that’s what I’m expecting,” Mr Abbott said.
Under the changes previously bulk-billed patients will have to pay a $7 fee to visit the GP, have an X-ray, scan or a blood test. The Government says the fee will save $3.4 billion over five years.
Health Minister Peter Dutton indicated last week that the Government was not open to negotiations on the price of the co-payment or any possible exemptions.
The Opposition is now accusing the Prime Minister of a “backflip”.
“Just one week ago Tony Abbott said he would never surrender when it came to his budget measures. And today he has done a total backflip,” Labor frontbencher Kate Ellis said.
While the Government is negotiating with incoming cross-bench senators, Greens Leader Christine Milne has ruled out giving any ground on the co-payment.
“We are not going to help Tony Abbott put lipstick on the pig that is his budget,” she said.
Budget to come under scrutiny at Senate estimates
Meanwhile, opposition scrutiny of the Abbott Government’s first budget will step up when Treasury secretary Martin Parkinson faces questions at a Senate estimates hearings next week.
Dr Parkinson will appear at an economics committee hearing on Wednesday where he and other Treasury officials will be grilled.
Over four days, the committee will look at spending on science agencies, industry assistance, renewable energy, competition and consumer issues, as well as budget assumptions on revenue and key economic figures.
The Senate community affairs committee will probe health and hospital spending, the proposed Medicare co-payment and the future of GP super clinics on Monday and Tuesday.
It will then turn its attention to social services, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and proposed changes to family benefits, the dole and pensions.
On Thursday, the government’s $22 billion Paid Parental Leave Scheme and aged care will come under the microscope.
Education and employment estimates hearings will kick off on Monday looking at the workplace relations system and the restoration of the building industry watchdog.
Over the following three days they will explore assistance to the unemployed, child care, funding for schools and TAFE colleges and the deregulation of university fees.
Defence force chiefs will front the foreign affairs, defence and trade committee on Monday as it probes military spending and recent scandals in the ADF.
Foreign aid, global climate change talks, trade deals and tourism will be on the agenda on Wednesday and Thursday.
In the house, debate will resume on the Paid Parental Leave scheme on Monday and the Government may introduce some more budget-related legislation later in the week.
ABC/AAP