Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

It's just in the same way that the government knew it would lose, so it didn't take them to an election. That's why the Australian public is so upset. It's not just about the negative gearing. It's not just about the CGT. It's not just about discretionary trusts. I've got an older electorate. People in my electorate are white hot with rage. You know why? It's because they've worked all their lives—they're a bit older than you and me—for 40 years. When they were in their 20s, they listened to the government, and they were encouraged to go out and get private health insurance. They were even told, 'If you don't get private health insurance before you turn 30, then we're going to actually penalise you the older you get.' On good faith, they've gone out and taken out private health insurance.

I received an email from a member of my constituency this morning. She's a pensioner on a fixed income. I don't know how they do it, but so many of my pensioners still pay their private health insurance. And now, under this health minister—who, unfortunately, has just walked out of the chamber—is going to rip those concessions away from you when you turn 65. For the life of me, I cannot understand why this government wants to rip those rebates away. What's the magical figure? When do you most need private health insurance? It's when you're getting to your and my age, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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