An elected Dutton Coalition Government will invest an historic $9 billion into Medicare to fix Labor’s healthcare crisis and ensure all Australians have timely and affordable access to a doctor.
Under Labor’s bulk billing crisis, it has never been harder and more expensive to see a doctor. Australians are now paying 45 per cent more to see their GP, as bulk billing has collapsed from 88 per cent under the Coalition, to 77 per cent under Anthony Albanese.
This has had a serious impact on Australians’ access to healthcare at a time when they can least afford it. Last financial year alone saw 40 million fewer bulk billed GP visits under Labor, in comparison to the Coalition’s last year in government.
This crisis has forced 1.5 million Australians to avoid seeing a doctor in 2023-24, adding further demand to already under-pressure hospitals across the country.
The Coalition recognises the urgent need for better access to bulk billed services in the middle of Labor’s healthcare crisis.
That is why a Dutton Coalition Government will match the $8.5 billion investment into Medicare dollar-for-dollar to fix Labor’s mess and restore bulk billing back up to Coalition levels.
This investment builds on the $500 million commitment already announced by the Coalition to restore critical Medicare funding for mental health support, after it was slashed in half by the Albanese Government.
We continue to call on Labor to match this funding and support vulnerable Australians with more complex or chronic mental health conditions.
Federal Member for Casey, Aaron Violi MP said the Coalition recognised the urgent need for better access to bulk billed healthcare, including in our community.
“Locals have told me they want to see better access to bulk billed services here in our community.
“Not only will the Coalition invest $9bn to strengthen Medicare, we also have a $400 million plan to grow a strong pipeline of GPs by providing financial incentives, leave entitlements and training support to encourage more GPs in the suburbs and regional areas where they are desperately needed.
“We will also double Medicare funded mental health sessions from 10 back to 20 after Labor’s cuts so all Australians can get the support they deserve.
Fixing Labor’s health care crisis and bulk billing crisis is all part of our plan to get our country back on track.
