A PROMINENT indigenous health advocate says the Abbott government is breaching human rights with its proposed Medicare co-payment.
Julie Tongs hosted a visit by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal health service in Canberra on Monday.
Ms Tongs, an Order of Australia recipient, told the Labor leader the government’s proposed $7 co-payment for GP visits would have a major impact on the centre.
“Health is a human right,” she said.
“And by doing what they are doing they are taking away that human right.”
The clinic has about 4000 clients, many of whom are on age pensions or welfare payments.
She said a large proportion have multiple chronic diseases, which required several visits a week.
“Some people find it hard to afford milk and bread let alone a GP payment and multiple prescriptions,” Ms Tongs said.
Paul Ryan, from the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, told Mr Shorten the co-payment would put pressure on hospitals which were also in the firing line of the federal budget.
Mr Shorten said Labor would not allow the government to get its co-payment legislation through parliament.
“Many indigenous Australians have unacceptably high rates of mortality and illness,” he said.
“We have to make sure that for our first Australians we close the gap not widen the gap.”