The Abbott Government’s Medicare hotline is warning patients Tony Abbott’s GP Tax will be in place before the government has even put a proposal to the Parliament.
“This cynical and arrogant move shows just how out of touch this government is, and how little they appreciate the effect this new tax will have on every Australian,” Shadow Minister for Health Catherine King said.
“It also shows the Coalition’s contempt for the parliamentary process and the role of the Senate.”
Callers to Medicare’s hotline are told: “From the 1st of July 2015…a patient contribution of $7 will be introduced.”
The Prime Minister is so arrogant and out of touch, he thinks he already knows which way the Parliament how to vote. He is telling the Australian public his new tax will be in place by 1 July 2015 when he has not even put a proposal to Parliament.
“There are already reports of people avoiding doctors because of this measure. Tony Abbott doesn’t have a mandate for the destruction of Medicare. He should not be scaring Australians even more before he has even put this broken promise to the parliament,” Ms King said.
“The Minister for Human Services, Marise Payne should immediately ensure that the hotline message is removed as there is no legislative basis for the ‘warning’,’’ Shadow Minister for Human Services, Doug Cameron said.
“The government has serious questions to answer about what instructions were given to run this campaign of misinformation.”