E&OE....................................................................................................
Well, the Government is absolutely delighted that the Parliament
has passed the private health insurance legislation. It's a
huge boon to Australian families. Hundreds of thousands of Australian
families will now take the decision to stay in private health insurance
or to take it out because from the 1st of January it's
going to be 30% cheaper right across the board. I thank the two
Independent Senators, Brian Harradine and Mal Colston, for their
supporting the Government. I know that each of them in different
ways had reservations, but in the end they supported the Government
and that made it possible for the legislation to go through and
I record the Government's thanks to both of them.
The legislation in its final form is an improvement on what the
Government put up. The proposals that Senator Harradine put forward
add value to the legislation. They do impose a pressure on the private
health funds to get rid of the gaps, which are unpopular with contributors,
and overall it's a win-win outcome because the full integrity
of the Government's proposal has been maintained. There is
no means test so that we have the maximum opportunity to increase
private health insurance numbers and on top of that, as a result
of Senator Harradine's amendment, there's something of
value added that will put pressure on the funds to get rid of the
gaps.
JOURNALIST:
How confident are you that the funds will eliminate gaps with the
only incentive being that they won't be able to advertise discount
premiums?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, they won't be able to advertise the discount premiums
and they won't be able to get a direct subsidy from the Government
to reduce the premium, the contributor will need to get it off his
tax or get a cash payment from the Government. That will impose
quite a competitive pressure and I believe that there will be very
significant competitive pressure on the funds. I believe the measure
will have the co-operation of the medical profession that was indicated
to us by the Australian Medical Association representatives yesterday.
The fund association supports it. Overall it will create a lot of
pressure on funds to progressively get rid of the gaps and that
can only be further good news for those who take out private health
insurance.
JOURNALIST:
How quickly do you think they'll act?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, they have 18 months to get ready and I think the pressure
is on now. It's on now that the legislation has been passed.
People will be saying to their funds: are you going to do this?
And whenever that starts to happen you get competitive pressure
building.
JOURNALIST:
For those funds that don't comply with that requirement members
will still be able to get the rebate, won't they?
PRIME MINISTER:
Of course. We've never said for a moment that we would ever
deny the rebate to anybody who's got private health insurance.
That's been the cornerstone of our policy.
JOURNALIST:
Does this give you more confidence that you'll get the GST
package through the Senate?
PRIME MINISTER:
Louise, I take one measure at a time. I was very satisfied with
the outcome of yesterday's discussions. I'm very grateful
for the support that the two Independents have given to the Government
but I don't take anything for granted. We go to Christmas having
delivered on a major promise. Next year with the legislation in
the Senate we come back to the GST. We begin the long committee
inquiry process and at the end of that we'll see what happens.
But I'm not making any extravagant claims. I have never taken
either Brian Harradine or Mal Colston for granted, nor should I.
They are not members of the Coalition parties, they are independent
men and we will deal with their concerns as they come along against
the background, of course, of sticking to the essential elements
of the policy that we put forward at the last election for which
we clearly have the authority of the Australian people to legislate.
JOURNALIST:
Have you got any small thoughts on just when a referendum on the
republic might be held last year?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, it will be held, I imagine, towards the end of next year
but I'm not really giving that issue a great deal of thought.
It's something into the future. We said we'd have a referendum
and we're going to keep our word. But I don't find, as
I go around Australia, people stopping me in the streets and shaking
their fist and saying, we want a republic or we don't want
a republic. I don't really get many people getting worked up
either way on the subject. And it's not really at the top of
people's minds. On that subject can I wish Mark Taylor and
the Australian Cricket Team the very best of good luck in the third
test that is starting in Adelaide today. The Australian cricket
loving population is behind Mark and the Team. We wish them well
against the old enemy and I know millions of other Australians will
be following the game very closely.
JOURNALIST:
Should there be an inquiry into the bookmaker scandal?
PRIME MINISTER:
Look, that is a matter entirely for the Australian Cricket Board.
Suggestions that the Senate or some section of government should
get involved are quite ridiculous. It's a matter for the Australian
Cricket Board.
[ends]