Hawke Slams Labors Broken Promise on Private Health Insurance
Friday, 10 February 2012
Julia Gillard and the Labor government have broken yet another promise by attempting to slash the rebate available to those using private health insurance.
As Health Minister, Nicola Roxon MP, told Australians “Federal Labor has made it crystal clear that we are committed to retaining all existing private health insurance rebates”. In what has become a trademark of this government that promise has been scrapped and Labor is set to cut all Private Health Insurance Rebates causing a damaging affect on Hills families and the already overstretched public health system.
Alex Hawke MP, The Federal Member for Mitchell, has condemned Labor for again going back on their word. “All the Labor party does is lie,” Mr Hawke said. “First the Prime Minister tells us that “There will be no Carbon Tax under the government I lead” which was of course a lie, then that Labor would be tough on Border Protection, another lie, then Gillard breaks a written promise she had with Andrew Wilkie (MP, the Member for Denison) and now Labor is breaking a commitment they made in regards to retaining Private Health Insurance rebates.
“The fact that we have a Prime Minister that the whole nation knows is dishonest and untrustworthy, is very destabilising for working families and the economy in the Hills area.
“Young families, seniors and small business owners that I meet always speak to me of the uncertainty they have for the future. They do not know which promise Labor will break next.
“Cutting private health insurance rebates will force many local residents to drop their private cover or move to cheaper policies with more procedures excluded. This will send more people into the overstretched public health system and force up private health insurance premiums making it even more expensive.
“This ill thought out Labor policy will lead to added stress on NSW Health. Labor is trying to herald this as a cost saving initiative but in reality they are just shifting the cost of health care from the Federal government to the state government and our already overburdened public hospitals.
“Unlike Labor, The Liberal Party has a clear agenda to bring Hope, Reward and Opportunity back to healthcare.
“As a result of the introduction of private health insurance rebates, the Medicare Levy and Lifetime Health Cover by the previous Coalition government, private health insurance coverage increased significantly from 34 percent in 1996 to over 44 percent in 2007.
“The Coalition believes all Australians should have access to affordable healthcare and real choice in managing their healthcare needs. Hills residents will receive real choice through affordable private health insurance,” Alex Hawke concluded.