Three more Liberal lies on health
In just under a minute in a televised candidates forum, Liberal Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis told three lies about the Liberals’ health cuts.
Shadow health minister Catherine King said the MP was answering a constituent at the Sky News Gilmore candidates forum in Gerringong when she falsely claimed the Turnbull Liberal government:
- had abandoned the cuts to bulk billing payments for pathology;
- was reviewing the Medicare freeze; and
- had no plans to increase the cost of prescriptions.
King said the first Sudmalis lie was about pathology.
“That particular medical practitioner has already told you a bit of a furphy about blood tests, because that has already been removed…that Medicare rebate that was not going to be put on as an incentive payment for pathology has been put back on so that problem is not a problem anymore.”
The fact however is different.
“The measure to remove bulk billing incentives will commence at the date that the changes to the regulatory framework take effect.”
Sussan Ley, press release, 13 May 2016
The second Sudmalis lie was about Medicare freeze.
“The freeze that we’re reviewing at the moment.”
The fact is yet again different.
‘Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the government would stick by the freeze. “The measure that is in the Budget is our policy,” he said.’
AAP, 19 May 2016
“Ann Sudmalis is embarrassed about the Liberal Party health cuts.”
And finally, the third Sudmalis lie was about an increase in prescriptions.
“There is no increase in scripts.”
The fact however is different, again.
“The co-payments with respect to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as set out, we are committed to, yes. There is no change to that.”
Malcolm Turnbull, Sydney doorstop, 22 May 2016
“It’s understandable that Ann Sudmalis is embarrassed about the Liberal Party health cuts and their attempt to destroy Medicare,” King said.
Labor’s candidate for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said there was no excuse for dishonesty.
“The people of Gilmore deserve an honest answer from their local MP about the health cuts the Liberals are committed to if the Turnbull government is re-elected,” Phillips said.
