Tony Abbott’s hint he is open to “refinement” of his GP co-payment has failed to impress key cross-benchers amid further signs the government will struggle to pass major planks of its budget.
Independent senators Nick Xenophon and John Madigan both indicated on Sunday that they could not see themselves supporting the $7 slug to patients in anything like its current form.
Mr Abbott heads overseas for 11 days on Wednesday, drawing out further the timetable on budget talks. The Prime Minister indicated on Saturday he was open to “refinement” of the co-payment policy – the first effective offer of a willingness to compromise.
On Sunday he said he was talking to minor parties and independent senators but said these were essentially “courtesy calls”. And he accused Labor and the Greens of making “one long chorus of complaint”.
Labor’s Bill Shorten said there were aspects of the budget that the opposition would never vote for, including the GP co-payment.
Senator Xenophon said: “There’s a long way to go before the government convinces me.”
Senator Madigan said he was opposed to increasing the burden on the poor and vulnerable.