2025-02-23
The Australian Greens have said Labor’s decision to adopt part of their ‘GP for free’ plan shows pressure works, and that voting Greens will help keep Dutton out and get Labor to act.
Earlier today Labor announced an $8.5 billion investment in Medicare to help more people access bulk-billed GP visits.
This follows the Greens’ own ‘GP for free’ election pledge that the party has been campaigning for since October last year, in which the party said it would triple the bulk billing incentive for all appointments, support the trainee GP workforce and build 1,000 clinics with free access to doctors, dentists and psychologists.
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt, said this would make a huge difference for people struggling to afford healthcare.
He called on the Prime Minister to recall Parliament this week while Estimates is on to legislate the policy before the election, to ensure it is Dutton-proofed and not held ransom to the outcome of the election.
Mr Bandt added that legislating in this term of Parliament to commence before the election would represent a significant achievement, and lay the foundation in the coming minority Parliament to get dental into Medicare.
A core message of the Greens’ plan for minority government is taxing big corporations and billionaires to pay for essential services, including getting dental into Medicare and making it free to see the GP.
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:
“Greens pressure works.
“In a wealthy country like ours everyone should be able to see a GP, psychologist, dentist or nurse with their Medicare card.
“It's good Labor has adopted part of our plan to help people see the GP for free.
“Now let's make it law before the election.
“The Prime Minister should recall Parliament this week so we can legislate and Dutton-proof this policy.
“There’s no reason to hold this reform ransom to the outcome of the election.
”Then next Parliament, we can get dental into Medicare.
“By voting Greens, we keep Dutton out and get Labor to act.”