Image: Source: Canva
The Medicare battle intensifies as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton pledges to match Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s $8.5 billion bulk billing investment, making healthcare a defining election issue.
At a campaign rally on Sunday, just hours after Albanese unveiled Labor’s plan as the biggest Medicare investment in decades, Dutton swiftly promised the same funding for bulk-billing bonuses, accusing Labor of reckless economic management .
“A Dutton Coalition Government will match the $8.5 billion investment into Medicare dollar-for-dollar to fix Labor’s mess and restore bulk billing back up to Coalition levels,” said Dutton and Coalition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston.
The Coalition has also backed a $1.7 billion hospital funding boost, a $573 million women’s health package, and $500 million for Medicare psychology appointments, reinforcing their broader health plan.
Labor policy aims for Medicare bulk billing rates of 90% by 2023
Labor has set the stage for a fierce battle over healthcare, with Albanese declaring universal bulk billing as the “beating heart” of his campaign.
“Even Tony Abbott promised ‘no cuts to health’. But every time they get into government, their attacks on Medicare are always the same,” said Albanese.
Labor’s plan extends bulk billing incentives to all adults, not just children and cardholders, while clinics would receive even greater bonuses.
Under their policy, GP clinics rebates increase by $21.50 per visit in metro areas, up to $41 in remote regions and a 12.5% quarterly bonus for clinics bulk billing every patient, with a goal of 90% bulk billing by 2030.
The plan also expands GP training, aiming to improve availability across the country, including Sydney, where clinics have scaled back due to rising costs.
Speaking at the rally, Albanese warned voters that a Dutton-led government would weaken Medicare.
“Labor built Medicare. We will protect it and improve it,” he said. “No Australian should have to check their bank balance before seeing a doctor.”
Health Minister Mark Butler said the plan would fund 18 million extra bulk-billed GP visits annually, saving Australian families $859 million by 2030.
Labor revived its “Mediscare” attack, arguing that Dutton cannot be trusted on Medicare, citing his tenure as health minister when he pushed for a GP co-payment and oversaw a Medicare rebate freeze.
“Peter Dutton’s record on Medicare isn’t just scary—it’s bloody terrifying,” Butler said.
The Coalition blames Labor for rising GP costs
The Coalition hit back, pointing to historically high bulk billing rates while in government and blaming Labor for rising out-of-pocket GP costs, arguing “it has never been harder and more expensive to see a doctor” than now.
“We had bulk billing rates at 88 per cent when we were in government; it’s now down at 77 per cent, and they’re talking about taking it back then,” Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said.
Bulk billing rates have fallen from 2021 as Medicare rebates failed to keep up with inflation, forcing GPs to charge out-of pocket. Pandemic-era services, like vaccinations, had temporarily inflated past figures.
Both parties face pressure for lack of clear funding sources
Despite the Coalition’s attempt to neutralise Labor’s Medicare attacks, it now faces pressure to explain how it will fund the pledge, given Dutton vague commitments to “wasteful” spending cuts while also backing a $300 billion nuclear energy plan.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Labor has already budgeted for $5.4 billion of the Medicare package, but the Coalition has yet to outline its funding source.
The Coalition argues that a strong economy is key to sustaining Medicare long-term, while Labor warns that Dutton will eventually cut healthcare funding to pay for other commitments, including the Coalition’s costly nuclear energy proposal.
You May Also Like
