TONY ABBOTT: DON'T BREAK YOUR PROMISES ON HEALTHCARE

Media Release

Catherine King MP.

Shadow Minister for Health

Wednesday, 23 April 2014

Australians cannot afford to foot the bill for Prime Minister's broken promises on health.

Before the election, Tony Abbott promised no new taxes, no surprises and no broken promises – but that's exactly what his new GP Tax is.

The Prime Minister's GP Tax is a clear breach of trust with the Australian people, and represents the dismantling of universal healthcare as we know it in this country.

Labor believes all Australians should get the healthcare they need – not just the healthcare they can afford.

The GP Tax will mean parents will be out of pocket when they take their sick kids to the doctor, or families just won't get the right medical care.

The Prime Minister's new GP Tax is just one example of his twisted priorities when it comes to this Budget.

The Abbott Government has already cut three GP Super Clinics, and further health funding is on the Prime Minister's chopping block.

They have already cut $560 million from public hospitals and more than $260 million from medical research.

And it's now clear Tony Abbott is getting ready to break his promise on Medicare Locals.

Just 10 days before the last election the Prime Minister solemnly promised:

“We're not shutting any Medicare Locals.”

[People's forum 28 August 2013]

Medicare Locals employ thousands of frontline health workers that improve caccination rates,

co-ordinate after-hours access tp Gp's, prevent hospitalisations as well as deliver mental health services. They are keeping people out of hospital and providing better local care for patients.

Cuts to Medicare Locals, cuts to GP Super Clinics and new GP Tax will all make it harder for people to get the healthcare they need.

Australians shouldn't have to pay more to see their doctor, just so the Prime Minister can give $75,000 to millionaires to have a baby.

They shouldn't have to foot the bill for Tony Abbott's twisted priorities.