Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
3:09 pm
Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Most egregiously.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
In question time today, the health minister claimed that I'd initiated a pause on the indexation of Medicare rebates, which is not true. The member for Sydney, under the former Labor government, was health minister at the time when the pause on Medicare rebates was initiated in the 2013 budget. This is clearly stated on page 177 of Budget Paper No. 2 of May 2013. The then president of the RACGP said that Labor's 2013 indexation pause would slash $664 million out of primary healthcare services. When I was health minister, the bulk-billing rate was at 84 per cent; today it's at 77 per cent.
Monique Ryan Kooyong, Independent
3:10 pm
on indulgence—I would like to clarify my earlier remarks this afternoon in relation to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives and Integrity) Bill.
Milton Dick Speaker
You may proceed, but it can't be a speech you made. If you could explain to the House perhaps what someone you claim has said, and then you can correct the record that way.
Monique Ryan Kooyong, Independent
I believe that the member for Petrie grossly misinterpreted my comments earlier today. My intention was to suggest that the luxury car tax exemption for commercial vehicles should only be granted to those who purchase those vehicles for commercial purposes. For those who are not purchasing vehicles for commercial purposes, I believe that that exemption should not apply.