The Coalition’s new Medicare and Savings promises, which include the promise of $9bn over 10 years in savings for Medicare, have been slammed by opposition leaders as “outrageous” and “reckless”.
But it appears they will not be met with any opposition from Labor, and the Federal Opposition has called on the Government to commit to the changes, which will see a Medicare rebate for people on disability living with chronic illnesses and conditions.
The Coalition has promised to spend $9 billion over 10 Years to improve Medicare, including $9.5bn in the first four years, $5.2bn in 2019-20, $2.2 billion in 2020-21 and $1.8 billion in 2021-22.
This would mean the rebate will be $9,750 for every dollar earned on a Medicare savings account, according to the Coalition.
The changes will also include a $1,000 cap on the annual income cap for people with chronic illness or conditions.
But the $9billion in savings promise is the first item on the agenda of the Government’s National Infrastructure Review, which is due to be released on Tuesday.
It also includes a promise of new grants to local governments to fund their infrastructure needs, including roads, rail, water, energy and water conservation measures.
“The Coalition’s Budget is the Coalition government’s plan for the future of Australia’s public infrastructure,” Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said.
“It is an outrageous and irresponsible waste of money.”
“These Government’s plans are outrageous and reckless,” Senator Dean Smith said.
“[The Coalition] are putting our infrastructure at risk by not providing enough funds to build the infrastructure we need.”
Senator Smith said the Government had not provided enough information to make a decision on the rebate.
“When we asked them, they said they would review it but not the rebate, not the funding to the local councils, they did not provide the information that the public needs,” he said.
