Andrew Leigh (Fraser, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

As I was saying before I was interrupted, the change to the Medicare levy thresholds is one which is welcomed. But one cannot look at an increase in thresholds without also considering what this government is doing to the health budget. This government, which has come to office on a promise of no cuts to health, has ripped another $2 billion from health this year. One billion dollars will be cut from programs that fund measures such as preventative health care, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, mental health programs and other crucial health programs. I can see why those opposite do not want to consider the impact that these cuts will have on vulnerable communities, but it is something that must be taken into account.

While an increase in the Medicare low-income thresholds is an appropriate, welcome and bipartisan measure, it is a measure which needs to be considered in the context of a budget that rips money away from health and takes money away from the most vulnerable. This particular measure enjoys bipartisan support, but the unfair measures in this budget most certainly do not.

See this speech in context