Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:46 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today I was presented with this petition from thousands of front-line medical professionals, including over 2½ thousand GPs, calling upon the Prime Minister to abandon his GP tax. Given that thousands of front-line medical professionals reject the Prime Minister's GP tax, when will the Prime Minister abandon his unfair tax on every Australian?
Mr Dutton interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Before I call the deputy leader on her point of order, the Leader of the Opposition will desist from holding up props.
Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order: the Minister for Health has accused these front-line health workers—GPs, nurses and others—of being unionists. He should withdraw his suggestion that these people are anything other than concerned doctors.
Honourable members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Order! We will have a sense of decorum back in this chamber so we can hear what it is she is saying. If the Deputy Leader of the Opposition wishes to make a point, she will do so succinctly and now has the opportunity to do it.
Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Madam Speaker, I ask that the Minister for Health withdraw his suggestion that these doctors are anything other than concerned GPs.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
Madam Speaker, on the point of order: I did not notice the deputy leader showing this feigned indignation for the health services workers union when they were standing up for the former member for Dobell, Craig Thomson. On that basis, I do not see any reason why the Minister for Health should withdraw.
Honourable members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
We will have some silence so we can hear the Prime Minister, who has the call.
Ms Plibersek interjecting—
There was no unparliamentary language. It may have offended you personally but it was not unparliamentary.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:48 pm
I have no doubt that there are some doctors who do not like the GP co-payment, just as there are some pharmacists who I am sure do not like the PBS co-payment that members opposite support. I accept that there are some doctors who do not support the position that the government has; on the other hand, there are many doctors who do support the position that the government has. In fact, the AMA's position is that it is not against a co-payment in principle. The position of the Australian Medical Association is that it is not against a co-payment in principle. We are happy to keep talking with the AMA about how this modest co-payment is best introduced. We do support a modest co-payment, like Bob Hawke, like the member for Fraser and not too much like but a little like, perhaps, the member for Jagajaga. We think that a co-payment does make sense, and it is very important to keep Medicare sustainable.
Andrew Leigh Fraser, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order, which goes to standing order 68. The Prime Minister knows that he is misleading the House.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
In accordance with the ruling that I made earlier, there is no infringement of standing order 68. I call the honourable, the Leader of the Opposition.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
The Prime Minister said he has got some doctors who support it; here are 3,000 who don't. I seek to table the document.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member will resume his seat. That is an abuse of the standing orders, and you know it.
Opposition members interjecting—
I call the honourable member for Longman, and we will have some silence.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Leave was sought and we have not heard—
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Yes, I did.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
You might have meant to, but you didn't. The member will resume his seat.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
It is too late. We will have the member for Longman.