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Family First Says no to Government’s Broken Election Promise

Press Releases September 05 2005

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The Government’s decision to increase the Medicare safety net limits is disturbing. It breaks the Government’s promise to Australian families that it would make sure everybody could afford medical services.

According to the Government’s own estimates, one million Australians will be worse off because of the Government’s decision.

I have expressed my concerns in a report tabled in the Senate today.

Breaking election promises alienates people from the political process and reinforces their lack of trust in, and respect for, politicians.
 
The Government has failed to prove that the financial reasons for breaking its election promise justify its actions.

Families and individuals will now have to spend at least an extra $185 in non-hospital medical expenses in a calendar year before they are eligible for any cash relief. Many families will struggle to find the extra money.

The Government’s scheme ensures that people with high out-of-pocket expenses can visit the doctors they choose. However, choice will not mean much to families if they cannot afford the medical services in the first place.

At a time when we are told there is plenty of money for income tax cuts, it is hard to believe that it is necessary to cut assistance for ordinary families.