Abbott stands by GP co-payment aim

THE government has been unable to convince Labor, the Greens or Senate crossbenchers to back the budget measure to charge a co-payment of $7 for GP visits.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said the leaking to the media that the “GP tax” would be dropped by the year’s end was a deliberate attempt to ease voter backlash expected at this Saturday’s Victorian state election. Federal ministers on Thursday gave mixed views on what was happening with the policy. Mr Abbott told parliament, in answer to Labor questions, the government remained committed to the intent of the policy. “We want a sustainable Medicare, we want to see price signals in the system, we want to see the Medical Research Future Fund take shape,” he said. “And we are talking to the crossbench in the Senate to bring about all these good ends.” Health Minister Peter Dutton said there might be “different options” available to the government to achieve the same end. “We are determined to send a price signal to make Medicare sustainable,” he said. Treasurer Joe Hockey insisted the government would press ahead with legislation. “We intend to take it to the parliament,” he said. But he would not say if legislation would be introduced before parliament rose for the long summer break next week. “There’s a lot of work before the parliament at the moment.” Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said it was the latest example of “an incompetent government in utter and complete chaos”. “The Abbott government wants to change its tactics about its GP tax, but they haven’t changed their mind about the GP tax,” he said. Outspoken Liberal senator Ian Macdonald said the co-payment should be dropped, hinting that he might cross the floor if the government persisted with its plan. “I’ve indicated to the prime minister and others and to the party room that I will be opposing it should it come forward in its present position,” he said. The government announced the co-payment in the May budget, even though it’s not due to start until July 2015.