Tony Abbott has again insulted Australian pensioners by declaring they don’t deserve access to universal health care.
Speaking on Brisbane radio today Mr Abbott declared:
“Why should they [pensioners] be entirely exempted from the Medicare co-payment?"
TONY ABBOTT, 4BC BRISBANE, 20 AUGUST 2014
Shadow Minister for Health, Catherine King said it was proof of how completely out of touch Mr Abbott is with the needs of pensioners.
“Australian pensioners simply can’t afford Tony Abbott’s GP tax,” Ms King said.
“Pensioners who have worked hard all their lives and contributed so much to this country deserve better than being treated with such contempt by the Prime Minister.
“This is a disastrous health policy which will see pensioners unable to afford to see a doctor, leading to even more serious and expensive health problems.
“Instead of tinkering with the GP Tax, it must be axed now, for everyone, to ensure Medicare is for all Australians.”
The Prime Minister’s tin eared remarks follow Joe Hockey’s ludicrous claim last week that pensioners were somehow better off as a result of the Abbott Government’s cruel budget.
“It is strongly arguable that pensioners are going to be better off…”
JOE HOCKEY, ABC LOCAL RADIO BRISBANE, 13 AUGUST 2014
Acting Shadow Minister for Families and Payments, Senator Claire Moore, said the Abbott Government needed to stop its attack on pensioners.
“The Australian Council of Social Services estimates that pensioners will be around $80 a week worse off within ten years because of the Abbott Government’s cuts to pension indexation,” Senator Moore said.
“At the same time Tony Abbott wants to slap a GP tax on pensioners when they visit their doctor, make them pay more for essential medicines and cut their concessions.
“Australian pensioners deserve much more from Tony Abbott than cuts to their pension and taxes on their health care.”