Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Today the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found that health expenditure in 2012-13 grew at its lowest rate in 30 years. Further, today the AMA president said that this 'makes a mockery of the government's claims that health care spending is out of control'.

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There will be quiet on my right!

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the Prime Minister—

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's because you were in government, you goose.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Health will desist!

Government members interjecting—

There will be silence. The Leader of the Opposition has the call.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will start again. My question is to the Prime Minister. Today the Institute of Health and Welfare has found that health expenditure in 2012-13 grew at its lowest rate in 30 years. Further, today the AMA president has said that this research 'makes a mockery of the government's claims that healthcare spending is out of control'. Does the Prime Minister agree with the AMA and will he now dump his unfair and unnecessary GP tax?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I should point out to the Leader of the Opposition that the Parliamentary Budget Office has found that Medicare expenditure is projected to grow at 6.1 per cent a year. Medicare expenditure is projected to grow at 6.1 per cent a year over the next decade. Ten years ago, we were spending $8 billion a year on Medicare; today, we are spending $20 billion a year on Medicare. That is why it is important to take action and to take action now to make Medicare sustainable for the long term, and that is exactly what this government has done.

We are seeking to have the same modest co-payment for Medicare that members opposite support for the PBS. I say again: if it is right and proper to have a modest co-payment for the PBS, how can it be wrong to have a modest co-payment for Medicare? And, let us face it, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke wanted a co-payment on Medicare to make it sustainable. Labor's Assistant Treasurer wanted a co-payment on Medicare to make it sustainable. Even the member for Jagajaga wanted to see action taken to make Medicare sustainable—

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, on a point of order—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Like the member for Jagajaga [inaudible]—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have concluded my answer.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has concluded his answer.

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, this question was about whether the—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will resume his seat. The Prime Minister has concluded.

Mr Dreyfus interjecting—

The member will resume his seat! The Prime Minister has concluded—and, if the member wishes to argue with the chair, he can leave. The choice is his.

Mr Ewen Jones interjecting—

Was that the member for Swan? Member for Herbert, you are warned!

Government members interjecting—

I have no ambition to assist any individual on which one they are backing.