Catherine King

Catherine King

CATHERINE KING MP
Federal Member Ballarat
Shadow Minister Infrastructure, Transport & Regional Development

T (03) 5338 8123
Email: Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au

Catherine King MP
Electorate Office
5 Lydiard Street North
Ballarat, VIC 3350

Bacchus Marsh
(every Friday from 10am to 3pm)
Lerderderg Library
Geoffrey Hine Room
215 Main Street
Bacchus Marsh, VIC 3340

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Monday, 05 September 2016 / Published in NATIONAL MEDIA

GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO MEDICARE FREEZE

In an interview in today’s Australian, Mr Turnbull said the Government had “not decided to change the policy”.

This is in spite of Mr Turnbull’s comments, in the same interview, that “what we have to do this term is categorically reassure Australians about our commitment to universal health and Medicare”.

Mr Turnbull’s comments echo his claim, made immediately after the election, that he would learn the lessons of the election and address Australians’ concerns about his deep cuts to health.

But two months later, nothing has changed. As Mr Turnbull has confirmed today, the Government remains committed to:

· Driving bulk billing down and co-payments up via the freeze on Medicare rebates, a GP Tax by stealth;
· Cutting Medicare bulk billing incentives for vital tests and scans;
· Increasing the price of prescription medicines by up to $5, even for concession card holders; and
· Cutting hundreds of millions from Medicare via changes to the Medicare Safety Net.

Softer rhetoric won’t change the harsh reality of these cuts. Mr Turnbull’s “reassurance” is worth as much as Tony Abbott’s promise of “no cuts to health” – nothing.

In contrast, during the election campaign Labor committed to ending Mr Turnbull’s Medicare freeze, scrapping his cuts to vital tests and scans, reversing his price hikes to Medicines, and protecting the Medicare Safety Nets.

On health, look at what Mr Turnbull does, not what he says.

SATURDAY, 27 AUGUST 2016

MEDIA CONTACT: ANDREW GARRETT 0412 300 994

Tagged under: 2016

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Last year the PM spent only $4.5m of his Urban Congestion Fund in NSW, but not a cent of it was spent in Sydney. 80% of promised projects were in Liberal or marginal seats, leaving western Sydney behind. That’s why you’re spending too much time sitting in traffic. twitter.com/9NewsSyd/statu…

About 3 days ago from Catherine King MP's Twitter via Twitter for iPhone

Australian made electric busses, built right here in Western Sydney by Custom Denning. Australian infrastructure investment should go towards creating Australian jobs, whether that be building trains, building busses or building roads. pic.twitter.com/wuICDaytuv

About 4 days ago from Catherine King MP's Twitter via Twitter for iPhone

Western Sydney is growing quick, but infrastructure investment and delivery isn’t keeping up. On average, commuters in outer Sydney spend more than three days in traffic jams each year and its holding people and businesses back. The PM needs to stop ignoring this region. pic.twitter.com/RQ7sHqikCZ

About 4 days ago from Catherine King MP's Twitter via Twitter for iPhone

Thinking of these workers and their families. Loyal workers who were pushed out in a race to the bottom on wages and conditions. If the Morrison Government cuts JobKeeper and refuses to support aviation after this month these won’t be the last jobs lost. twitter.com/TWUAus/status/…

About 6 days ago from Catherine King MP's Twitter via Twitter for iPhone

Scott Morrison promised 67 commuter car parks across Australia, but only 4 are underway. You can’t park on a press release, you’ve actually got to deliver on your promises. Commuters deserve better. pic.twitter.com/FUBTSXW2Cd

About 2 weeks ago from Catherine King MP's Twitter via Twitter for iPhone

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© Catherine King. Authorised by Catherine King, Australian Labor Party, Canberra

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