| Publication: | The Australian |
|---|---|
| Date: | 25 February 2010 |
| Section: | Politics |
Sid Maher
Article excerpt:
KEVIN Rudd has been handed a second double-dissolution trigger after the Senate rejected bills that would have increased the Medicare levy on high-income earners who do not have private health insurance.
The government was last night claiming the rejection as a double-dissolution trigger as debate began on a measure to means test the 30 per cent private health insurance rebate.
The higher Medicare levy and the means test on the 30 per cent private health insurance rebate had originally been part of the same measure but the Senate split the bill.
The means test was assured of defeat, after independent senator Nick Xenophon announced he would join the opposition in opposing it.
... The government also announced an increase in the Medicare levy for people who did not have private health insurance to act as a disincentive for high-income earners to drop their private health insurance.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon said, "We are committed to making sure that private health insurance is affordable for low- and middle-income earners."
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