Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Steve Ciobo, continued to pedal Liberal lies on the GP tax yesterday, claiming that those with chronic diseases were exempt from Tony Abbott’s tax on doctor visits.
On 612 ABC yesterday morning, Ciobo said :
Ciobo: The key point that you raised, Steve, about people with chronic illness etc. Guess what they don’t have to pay. They don’t have to make the co-payment.
Q: How can they avoid it?
Ciobo: Because if they have a chronic disease they are exempt from making the co-payment…
612 ABC WITH STEVE AUSTIN – 21 MAY 2014
“This is a blatant lie. If you have a chronic disease you are not exempt from this cruel GP tax.” Shadow Minister for Health Catherine King said.
The GP tax is not means tested meaning if you go to your GP for a standard appointment you are not exempt from paying the $7 dollar tax.
“It is wrong to claim that people who suffer from a chronic disease are exempt from this cruel tax. As a frontbencher Steve Ciobo should know better.”
“Chronic disease is increasing and our population is growing older. Governments should be investing in primary care, not putting barriers in the way for Australians to see their doctor.”
This is bad, lazy policy, based on lies. Tony Abbott lied before the election when he said there would be no new taxes, Joe Hockey is lying after the election to try to justify this broken promise and now Steve Ciobo is lying about who is exempt from paying the tax.
Labor believes all Australians should get the healthcare they need, not just the healthcare they can afford. Only Labor can be trusted to protect Medicare.