Reports today make it crystal clear that Tony Abbott remains committed to his GP Tax, and will introduce it by any means necessary.
Tony Abbott may have accepted defeat on getting his GP Tax through the Senate, for now.
But make no mistake, the Abbott Government remains hell-bent on introducing a GP Tax.
Tony Abbott’s failure is a victory for all Australians who believe in our world class universal healthcare system, Medicare.
But it is only temporary relief for millions of Australians who cannot afford a GP Tax.
Tony Abbott has only acted now because he was forced to.
And for as long as he is Prime Minister the GP Tax remains a threat to universal healthcare in Australia.
For as long as the Abbott Government remains in office, it will seize any opportunity to bring back the GP tax.
Just yesterday Health Minister Peter Dutton was insisting the GP Tax was good health policy, and expressing confidence he would soon win support in the Senate.
Tony Abbott has never believed in Medicare. Tony Abbott believes Australians should pay a tax every time they visit the doctor.
Putting a tax on the sick and vulnerable is not reform.
Labor introduced Medicare and only the election of a Labor Government will ensure Australians are safe from Tony Abbott’s disastrous GP Tax.
Labor believes Australians should get the health care they need, not just what they can afford.
Labor will fight the GP Tax, we will fight the destruction of universal Medicare by this Government.