Page 1566 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 12 August 1992
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Hospital Services
MS ELLIS: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Health. Could the Minister please explain what effect the Liberals' Fightback package would have on Canberra's public hospital system?
Mr De Domenico: Oh!
MR BERRY: And so you should cringe, Mr De Domenico. It will put health care out of the reach of most, Madam Speaker; that is what it will do. The Liberals' Fightback package would force many Canberrans into expensive private hospital beds, while at the very same time reducing wages and raising prices. "Frightpack" will cut $1.3 billion from hospital funding to the States, which on a per capita basis is $17.6m less for Canberra. There is more information coming. This translates into 138 fewer public hospital beds, Mr Kaine. Shame on you! No wonder the good Senator Reid is not coming out about this issue. She is ashamed of "frightpack". The ACT public hospital system would not survive with 138 fewer beds.
The Liberals' agenda at the local and Federal level is clear - abolish our universal access to medical care and force Australians into expensive private beds. Medicare, Madam Speaker, is vital if access to health care is to remain a right. Introducing an American-style health care system under which people who cannot afford the expensive private health insurance receive third-class health care or miss out is unacceptable.
In May this year Dr Hewson stated that he expected, over time, a shift of 1.5 million patients from the public to the private hospital sector. That is what he said. His intent is clear. Only 40 per cent of Australians presently have private health insurance. The Federal Opposition stated recently that they expect 20 per cent of these people and 70 per cent of Australians with basic cover to opt for the top rate. So they are going to force them into the top rate. I might say that the top rate currently stands at about $46 per week. How many Australians can afford that? This optimistic estimate still leaves 40 per cent of Australians uninsured. This will only benefit the private hospitals and health insurance companies.
Under the Liberals, Madam Speaker, there will be two classes of health care. This is the way of these people. The Liberals' plan will mean a smaller, run-down public hospital system for the 40 per cent of the population who cannot afford private health insurance, while the private hospitals expand to cater for the wealthy with rebates subsidised by the ordinary taxpayer. So what you are going to do is make the - - -
Mr Kaine: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I can only assume that what we are hearing is the Minister's opinion. Is it not a fact that under the standing orders one cannot ask a Minister a question that seeks an opinion? If so, would you ask him to desist from expressing his.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Kaine, you are quite correct. I believe that Mr Berry was asked for an explanation, and I think he can proceed.
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