Snelling asleep at the wheel
Feb 16, 2012
Hon Iain Evans MP
Shadow Treasurer
Snelling asleep at the wheel
Whilst the Federal Labor Government’s plan to means test the private health insurance rebate passes Canberra’s lower house, it becomes apparent that Treasurer Snelling hasn’t even considered the impact this will have on South Australia’s budget!
In Parliament today, Shadow Treasurer Iain Evans asked Treasurer Snelling:
“Has the government done any modelling on the state budget impact of the federal proposal to means test the private health insurance rebate and, if so, what is the budget impact?” (Hansard 15/02/12)
The Treasurer nonchalantly replied:
“If there has been any done, it has not been brought to my attention. I will happily ask Treasury and report back to the house.” (Hansard 15/02/12)
The Treasurer hasn’t even asked the Treasury to model how this Federal proposal will impact on the budget through increased public health service costs in South Australia.
“Means testing of the private health insurance rebate will undoubtedly put pressure on the public health service, as less people will able to afford private health cover and will move to an already overcrowded public health system - impacting the budget,” Shadow Treasurer Iain Evans said.
“It is astonishing that Treasurer Snelling hasn’t even considered the impact this will have on the State budget given that means testing the Private Health rebate has been Federal Labor’s policy for years – the Treasurer has been asleep at the wheel!
“With State debt blowing out to $11 billion and a budget deficit running at $367 million, you would think that the Treasurer of South Australia would have considered the cost impact on the State budget of the Federal Government’s proposal!
“But he hasn’t even bothered to ask.
“South Australian families are already burdened with increasing cost of living pressures under the Weatherill Labor Government and this decision by the Federal Labor Government will only further penalise hard-working South Australians.”