Malcolm Turnbull has made it clear that this election is a referendum on Medicare, according to Catherine King MP, Shadow Minister for Health and member for Ballarat.
“Asked three times this morning to rule out further cuts to bulk billing if he is re-elected tomorrow, Mr Turnbull refused to answer,” Mrs King stressed on Friday.
“He also straight-out lied to voters about the fact that cuts have already happened, and are already having an impact when Australians visit the doctor.”
The government’s own Budget papers show cuts of $2 billion through freezing Medicare payments for doctors’ visits and another $650 million through cuts to bulk billing incentives for pathology and diagnostic imaging.
Patients are already being advised by clinics across Australia that they will now be forced to pay to see a doctor because of Mr Turnbull’s freeze.
“Mr Turnbull’s election eve lies are a repeat of Tony Abbott’s infamous 2013 election eve pledge of ‘no cuts to health’ – and just as believable,” she added.
“Mr Turnbull’s cuts will hit the sickest, the poorest and those in rural areas the hardest.”
Mrs King continued by saying that Labor created Medicare and Labor will always protect it, emphasising that voters have a clear choice for the future of Australia today.
“All Australians should be able to access health care when and where they need it. That’s what drives Labor’s health policy.
“[It’s] Malcolm or Medicare.”