Today
Wonder why your medical specialist is so pricey? Here are four fixes
Specialist care needs an overhaul. High fees and long waits mean nearly two million Australians are delaying or skipping care that their GP has recommended.
May
Health system, workers’ comp at risk in pre-NSW budget warning
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will warn parliament he won’t top up the underfunded workers’ comp scheme.
How Labor weaponised Medicare (again) to take on Peter Dutton
Labor has put health at the centre of the election campaign in a strategy to demonise the opposition leader and woo voters with the promise of free doctor visits.
April
BGH Capital GP chain ‘laughing all the way to the bank’ under Labor
The firm - co-founded by Ben Gray, who hosted an election fundraiser for Anthony Albanese - has been a big winner from Labor’s Medicare reforms.
Dutton embarks on 28 seat blitz as Albanese doubles down on Medicare
Peter Dutton will start a final push in safe Labor territory, underlining the Coalition’s view that electorates usually considered unwinnable are in play on May 3.
GP salaries of $400k-plus put in spotlight by healthcare election
Labor says GPs will be paid more if they bulk-bill patients, but doctors are doubtful as the costs of running a clinic rise.
Peter Dutton’s credentials loom over health debate
Health Minister Mark Butler and his shadow Anne Ruston faced off, and the opposition leader’s time running that department again proved a goldmine for Labor.
GP earnings to top $400k a year under bulk-billing plan: Butler
Labor says GPs will earn $124,000 a year more than they did three years ago, once its bulk-billing incentives are implemented.
The 4 moments that mattered in the first election debate
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton faced off on Tuesday, sparring on economic management, cost-of-living pain and their vision for Australia.
Labor’s not so secret weapon to win SA comes with limitations
Anthony Albanese has picked up the playbook of popular South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, hoping that health funding will secure victory over Peter Dutton.
March
Everything you need to know about the new tax cuts
Every Australian taxpayer will get a tax cut next year – a surprise measure that Labor will campaign strongly on at the election.
Chalmers splashed 20 major spending measures, but just 3 big savings
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ budget contains expenditure at a 40-year high outside of the pandemic. Economists warn promises of future restraint seem unrealistic.
Trump could target our healthcare system next. We don’t need to panic
If there are retaliatory tariffs because of standing up for our PBS jewel, so be it. That would be unfortunate and unfair, but Australia can weather it.
Trump says Federal Reserve should cut rates
Donald Trump says rates should come down as tariffs start to ease into the economy; migrant arrivals fall 32pc from record. How the day unfolded.
Dutton promises to match Labor’s $25 prescription drugs pledge
The opposition has moved swiftly to match the government’s commitment to cut the cost of medicines by $6.60 per script.
Doctor fees to be laid bare under comparison site upgrade
Labor says patients will be able to check average specialist fees and out-of-pocket costs under an upgrade to the failed Medical Costs Finder website.
Labor working to shield local manufacturers from Trump’s trade war
Moves to strengthen anti-dumping protections come as the government’s hopes fade Donald Trump will exempt Australia from tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
February
Fink’s plan for fixed-rate home loans stinks for banks
Readers’ letters on Larry Fink’s push for 30-year fixed-rate home loans in Australia; Peter Dutton’s stance on power investment; Labor’s Medicare plan; the global responsibility of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping; social cohesion.
Dutton says ‘me too’ as Albo bets the house on ‘saving Medicare’
The Coalition has buckled to Labor pressure. But how both sides will finance their foolish bulk-billing magic pudding remains to be seen.
Dutton to match Labor’s GP funding in big-spending campaign pledge
The opposition leader promises to match Labor’s $8.5 billion GP funding pledge as he seeks to defend his record on health.