Greens offer to help Labor ‘Dutton-proof’ key measures

While Albanese in February made an $8.5 billion investment in Medicare including extending bulk-billing bonuses paid to GPs who bulk-bill all adult patients, Bandt said there also needed to be a tripling of the bulk-billing incentive to “Dutton-proof” it.

In 2023, the government tripled the bulk-billing incentive which led to a 2.1 percentage point increase in the national GP bulk-billing rate, which refers to the proportion of GP services that are fully covered by Medicare and don’t require people to pay gap fees.

“We urge you to pass legislation to enshrine the measure this coming week,” Bandt said of the possibility for another tripling, pledging his party’s support for the change.

While Dutton has said he will match Labor’s $8.5 billion Medicare boost, the government has tried to make healthcare a major point of difference with the Coalition, emphasising Dutton’s record as health minister in the Abbott government when he attempted to cut rebates and introduce a mandatory fee for GP visits.

The Greens have also urged Albanese to include dental in Medicare, extending it from only children to all Australians.

While Treasurer Jim Chalmers said last month there would be more cost of living help in the March 25 budget “if we can afford to do more”, Bandt said there was no need to wait.

“People are facing a cost-of-living crisis now and we can legislate now,” the Greens leader said.

“Passing these cost of living measures would help keep Peter Dutton out of the Lodge, as people would see real action to make their lives better.”