Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

A previous Prime Minister who imposed a co-payment—someone who should be well known and well loved to members opposite—was asked about the impact on cancer patients of the co-payment. He said:

Is anyone seriously suggesting that, in the circumstance you're talking about, where there is the possibility of breast cancer, that is going to stop them going to the doctor? I mean, that is emotionalism being played at the lowest level.

Let me repeat the words of Bob Hawke in response to questions of the type members opposite are now asking:

… that is emotionalism being played at the lowest level.

Bob Hawke was a leader. Bob Hawke was a reformer. Bob Hawke was a great Prime Minister.

Mr Perrett interjecting—

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