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CHANGES TO PRIVATE HEALTH REBATE WILL FAIL

Press Releases February 03 2010

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Despite passing the lower house today Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding says the Rudd Government’s contentious plan to means-test the 30 per cent rebate for private health insurance looks destined to fail in the Senate because it is unfair on families.

Despite passing the lower house today Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding says the Rudd Government’s contentious plan to means-test the 30 per cent rebate for private health insurance looks destined to fail in the Senate because it is unfair on families.

“Means-testing the private health insurance rebate without properly taking into account the number of children in the household is inconsistent with the government’s other policies,” Senator Fielding said.

“The Government’s changes are unfair to families because they only look at household or individual income and don’t take into account enough how many children there are in the household.

“If the Rudd Government thinks it costs nothing to raise one child, and only $1,500 for each child after that, then they must be living on a different planet to the rest of Australia.

“As any Australian parent knows, the costs on families can increase significantly depending on the number of children to be cared for.

“Under the Government’s proposal, a couple with no children on $149,000 will be eligible for the full rebate, while a family of five with a household income of $156,000 would have their rebate reduced. This makes no sense and undermines the family.

“Many families are already struggling to pay their bills and this move will make things even tougher for them.

“I won’t be supporting the Government’s bill unless more is done to help families.”