STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator GATENBY (Tasmania) (13:37): This is not my first speech. I rise today to speak against the Albanese Labor government's proposed changes to private health insurance rebates for older Australians. The proposal will hit the most vulnerable members of our community, including thousands of older Tasmanians who've worked hard, paid their taxes and maintained private health insurance throughout their lives.

Survey results from 3,700 of St Luke's members aged 65 years and over, found that 96 per cent of respondents are concerned about proposed changes, and 71 per cent say the changes would affect their ability to maintain private health insurance. These numbers indicate that around 80,000 Tasmanians will be impacted by this policy. For many older Australians, private health insurance is not a luxury.

It's a way to access timely treatment and attain greater certainty about their health care as they age. The government's own advice acknowledges that around 1.2 million pensioners nationwide will face additional financial pressure because of this decision. Those in my home state of Tasmania will be disproportionately affected.

We have an older population and lower average incomes, and more than 60 per cent of hospital benefits paid by health funds go to people over 65. This number is well above many other states. For many older Tasmanians already struggling with the cost of living, this proposal leaves an unfair choice: they can cut spending on essentials, downgrade their cover or drop private health insurance altogether.

If that happens, the pressure doesn't disappear; it simply shifts directly onto our public hospitals, which are already under strain. That is why governments across the country, including the Tasmanian government, have raised concerns about these changes. It will end up costing us all more and create poorer health outcomes.

The government should abandon this proposal, stand up for older Australians and rethink this cut to health.