The Abbott Government’s claim that its GP Tax is “dead, buried and cremated” has again been exposed as a lie with the CEO of Primary Health Care confirming the government’s four year freeze on doctor’s rebates will lead to a GP Tax by stealth.
This is a shared concern. Just last month, analysis in the Medical Journal of Australia showed that the freeze to indexation of Medicare benefits is likely to force many GPs who currently bulk-bill to resort to co-payments.
Whatever fancy name the Abbott Government comes up with – “co-payment”, “price signal”, “value signal” or “direct billing” – the end result is still the same: an attack on Medicare, an attack on patients and an attack on the health of all Australians.
HSU celebrates historic day for gender equality after Fair Work decision
The Health Services Union is today celebrating an historic decision, with the Fair Work Commission finding minimum award rates of pay for several health, care, and support sector occupations have been undervalued based on gender.
New study reveals multi-billion dollar economic benefit of implementing universal reproductive leave in Australia
Giving workers the equivalent of one day of leave a month to care for their reproductive needs would mitigate the economic costs of reproductive health conditions, which are estimated to cost the Australian economy more than $21 billion per year, and improve mental health and workforce retention, according to a new report.
Federal Budget 2025
HSU welcomes groundbreaking Medicare budget, but more needed for workers The Health Services Union (HSU) has strongly endorsed the Albanese government’s record investments to strengthen Medicare