PRIME MINISTER 132/ 92
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON~. P. J. KEATING
DR HEWSON'S DOCTORS
It is no wonder the AMA. is campaigning for Dr Hewson.
Doctors can expect $ 760 million from the fee increases
which Dr Hewson will allow, and another $ 300 million
from the increased numbers of private patients which Dr
Hewson's policies are designed to create.
Dr Howson has offered doctors what is surely the biggest
-bribe per person in Australian history more than $ 1
billion for about 40,000 people.
This from the man who so often accuses others of doing
deals with vested interests.
If the Doctors for Dr Hewson are really concerned about
people and not their own pockets, they might ask
themselves whether his economic and social policies are
good for Australians' health?
is the withdrawal of $ 7 billion from the economy good for
people's health?
Is a 15 per cent tax on food and services good for their
health? Is knocking them of f unemployment benefits after nine
months good for their health?
Are lower wages and less job security good for their
health? And Australians might ask themselves why the elite of the
medical profession would campaign for the type of health
system which Americang have just overwhelmingly rejected?
Why would they campaign against a system which is fair,
comprehensive and makes-quality health care * accessible to
all. And one which is consistently supported by a
majority of Australians?
J.-4* ui F
2
Dr Hewson tells us that he's out to break the mould of
Australian politiCS. This is palpable nonsense.
In fact he's out to break the mould of
society. His industrial relations policy is one example.
His health policy is another.
As Peter shack the former health spokesman stated in the
notorious January 1990 press conference with " all the
frankness" he could muster, " the Liberal and National
Parties do not have a particularly good track record in
health." There appears to be no danger of Dr Hewson displaying
the courage and honesty of Mr Shack.
He hasn't held a press conference for a year.
CANBERRA December 1 1992