The Greens’ health spokesperson, Senator Richard Di Natale, today said that the Government should not count on the Greens’ support for its proposed private health changes.

“While the Greens remain committed to means testing the private health insurance rebate we do not support penalising people who choose not take out private health insurance,” said Senator Di Natale.

The legislation proposed by the Government is divided into two parts. The first part proposes to means test the private health insurance rebate according to three new income thresholds.

“Means testing private health insurance is good public policy and the Greens support it.  

“But the Government should go further and earmark the two and half billion dollars of savings for dental health. It would go a long way towards funding a universal dental health scheme like the Greens’ Denticare proposal.”

The second part of the Government’s plan is to impose a penalty on people with higher incomes who do not take out private health insurance, with the surcharge increasing at each income threshold.

“The Greens believe that people who are committed to the public system or choose not take out private health insurance should not be penalised for this decision.

“If the Government insists on penalising people for choosing to stay in the public system, they cannot rely on the Greens’ support to pass this measure.”

Media contact: Andrew Blyberg 0457 901 600