STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr LLEW O'BRIEN (Wide Bay) (13:42): I condemn the Albanese Labor government's appalling $11 billion attack on older Australians through its cuts to the loading on the private health insurance rebate. At a time when people are struggling with Labor's cost-of-living crisis, this cut to the rebate loading for Australians aged over 65 makes private health insurance less affordable for those who need it most.

Any short-term budget saving will come at a far greater long-term cost to taxpayers and the health system. According to the government's own modelling, this counterproductive step will see around 44,000 older Australians abandon their private health insurance. These Australians won't miraculously be healed and disappear from the healthcare system.

They will turn to the already overstretched public hospital system, increasing pressure, lengthening wait times and worsening outcomes for all patients. The health minister defended Labor's cuts by saying 'there's no lazy free money lying around'. This dismissal of the need for support for older Australians is deeply insulting.

Older Australians have spent a lifetime working, paying taxes and contributing to our nation. Seniors deserve respect not cuts, and they deserve a government that values their contribution not one that makes them pay for Labor's budget mismanagement.