Elliot vs health minister on Medicare and health funding

RICHMOND MP Justine Elliot has vowed that Labor will fight Tony Abbott on Medicare.

Richmond MP Justine Elliot says the budget is cruel. Picture: John Gass

RICHMOND MP Justine Elliot has vowed that Labor will fight Tony Abbott on Medicare.

"Labor will fight to make sure Medicare remains something that belongs to all Australians," Mrs Elliot said.

"Labor will not stand by and let Australia become a country where low income families, the elderly, the sick have to choose between eating or seeing the doctor," she said.

Mrs Elliot said the Abbott Government's "budget of broken promises" had betrayed the people of North Coast.

"Labor won't let Tony Abbott destroy Medicare. We will vote against Tony Abbott's plan to tax people when they need to visit the GP," she said.

"This assault on Medicare is an unacceptable attack on the Australian way of life."

Meanwhile, Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton has labelled Mrs Elliot's statement as "empty slogans."

"The Abbott Government is working diligently to repair the budget mess that Labor left behind," Mr Dutton said in response to Mrs Elliot's claims.

"Let me be very clear. The health budget is growing steadily under the Coalition and funding to the states for hospitals is rising at around 9% per year for the next three years and at over 6% the following year.

Mr Dutton said Bill Shorten and the Labor Party should stop scaremongering and explain why they are attempting to mislead Australians.

"The changes we're making will ensure that our health system remains sustainable into the future, while our $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund will make Australia a world leader in uncovering cures to our worst diseases.

"They clearly have nothing to offer up but empty slogans and motherhood statements."