Difficult decision … Prime Minister Tony Abbott has defended reforms to GP visits. Photo: Tim Hunter/News Corp. Source: News Corp Australia
CHANGES to the Medicare rebate, which could see doctors visits become more expensive, look set to be disallowed in the Senate.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten this afternoon confirmed Labor will move to reject the reforms to short consultations when Parliament resumes next month.
From Monday, some visits to the doctor could go up by $20, with the rebate cut on consultations of less than 10 minutes from $37.05 to $16.95.
Mr Shorten described it as a “dreadful move”, which he said will increase hospital waiting lists.
“It’ll see GPs stop bulk-billing. It’ll see sick people put off going to the doctor,” the Opposition Leader told reporters in Queensland.
Mr Shorten said Labor would oppose the rebate cut and move at the first chance to disallow it.
Already Senators Jacqui Lambie and Nick Xenophon have flagged they would join with the Greens in trying to strike down the measure.
With the added help of Senators Ricky Muir and Glenn Lazarus, Labor would have the numbers to defeat the changes.
Senator Lambie confirmed she will vote to disallow the measure at the “first opportunity” next month.
Opposed … Senator Jacqui Lambie. Source: News Corp Australia
“Mr Abbott, his Tasmanian Liberal Senators and members of the lower house (Brett Whiteley, Andrew Nikolic, Eric Abetz, Eric Hutchinson etc. ) didn’t properly consult with ordinary Tasmanian families, pensioners, those with chronic diseases and GPs before the LNP’s policy announcement just prior to the Christmas holidays,” she said in a statement.
“I’d like all the Liberal and National party members from Tasmania to say publically now, whether or not they support their leader’s new $20 fee or not? And I’d like them to explain how our pensioners, unemployed, low income earners, chronically sick and elderly are going to be able to afford what is effectively another GP tax.
“Those Tasmanian Liberal politicians should not be allowed to hide like cowards on this matter.”
Senator Lambie said she was concerned about the move putting further strain on local public hospitals.
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The Australian Medical Association is also warning the measure will put greater pressure on emergency departments.
But the Prime Minister this morning insisted what patients pay is “always a question for the doctors”.
“These government changes are designed to try to ensure that doctors spend a reasonable amount of time with their patients,” he told 3AW.
“These are difficult decisions … but we have to make them if Medicare is going to be sustainable for the long term future.”
Concern … Doctors have warned the measure will increase pressure on emergency departments. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied
But Mr Abbott delivered a strong message to the crossbench about the need for reform.
“This is a government which is serious about economic reform, we’re serious about budget responsibility.
“It seem the Labor Party and the Senate are just not prepared to accept any tough decisions.
“That puts our nation in a very difficult decision.”
Insisting he was going to “wait and see” what those on the crossbench decide, Mr Abbott turned the tables on Upper House members.
“We’re serious about economic reform, we’re serious about budget reform: is the Senate?
“Are they serious about economic reform and budget responsibility and if they don’t like what this government is doing, tell us what their alternative is.
He accused Labor of “consistently sabotaging” attempts to fix the budget.
“The crossbench it seems is prepared to go along with the Labor Party at times.
“I say to all of the critics: if you don’t like what we’re doing come up with your alternative.”
The government also hopes to get support for a further $5 cut to rebates from July on top of a near-six-year freeze on Medicare rebate indexation.
Originally published as Abbott’s $20 GP fee set for defeat