Stephen Jones Throsby, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure
12:00 am
My question is to the Prime Minister. One year ago today the Prime Minister promised a government of no surprises and no excuses. Sue Drury, of Ballan in Victoria, is on a disability support pension and requires multiple medications, which cost more than $140 a month, and fortnightly visits to the GP to treat her chronic conditions and leukaemia. When did the Prime Minister tell Sue before the election—
Ms Butler interjecting—
Stephen Jones Throsby, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure
he would make it harder for her to visit the doctor with his GP tax and increased costs of medicines?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:45 pm
I accept that the lady in question is doing it tough. I obviously accept that she is doing it tough, and I dare say that she does not particularly like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment which she has to pay and which the Labor Party put in place and which the Labor Party increased significantly over the years—and they did not ever take it to an election.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The fact is that a Medicare co-payment for visiting a general practitioner has been on our national agenda for years. It was put there by Bob Hawke, with the assistance of the member for Jagajaga, and it has the enthusiastic support of Labor's shadow Assistant Treasurer, and that is why it should be on our agenda today.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I have concluded this answer.