‘Pass this now’: Greens offer to help Labor ‘Dutton-proof’ key measures

The Greens are offering to support Labor on key measures in return for an immediate slashing of student debt and tripling of the bulk-billing incentive debt in a last-ditch attempt to “Dutton-proof” them beyond the federal election.

As the Labor government faces the possibility of a minority government after the upcoming election, Greens leader Adam Bandt wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday, offering his party’s support for three key measures to ensure they pass before Australians go to the polls.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Greens leader Adam Bandt.Credit: AFR

While Labor has promised to wipe 20 per cent off student loans, slashing $5500 off the average debt of just over $27,000, the legislation is yet to be passed and the proposed start date is July 1, meaning it is not due to come into effect until after the election.

The Albanese government is battling for popularity in the polls while numbers for Coalition, led by Peter Dutton, have improved. Wiping student debt is one of Labor’s core election promises aimed at attracting young voters.

The Greens have pushed for the legislation to be introduced this month when politicians return to parliament for three days during budget week, when Labor will present its financial plan and parliamentarians will have the final opportunity to pass laws before the election.

“We see no reason to hold this important measure ransom to the outcome of the election,” Bandt said in his letter. “The numbers are there in parliament to pass this now.”

The Greens have also doubled down on the government’s health ambitions, calling for legislation to triple bulk-billing incentives for all patients.

“We understand the government intends to enact this via disallowable regulation,” Bandt said, but noted this could “easily be undone by a future Liberal minister with the stroke of a pen”.

Disallowable regulation is a type of legislation that can also be repealed by a majority in either the House of Representatives or Senate.

While Albanese in February made an $8.5 billion investment in Medicare including extending bulk-billing bonuses paid to GPs who bulk-bill all adult patients, Bandt said a tripling of the bulk-billing incentive was required to “Dutton-proof” it.

In 2023, the government tripled the bulk-billing incentive, leading to a 2.1 percentage point increase in the national GP bulk-billing rate, which refers to the proportion of GP services fully covered by Medicare that don’t require patients to pay gap fees.

“We urge you to pass legislation to enshrine the measure this coming week,” Bandt said of the possibility for another tripling, pledging his party’s support for the change.

While Dutton has said he would match Labor’s $8.5 billion Medicare boost, the government has tried to make healthcare a major point of difference with the Coalition, emphasising Dutton’s record as health minister in the Abbott government when he attempted to cut rebates and introduce a mandatory fee for GP visits.

The Greens have also urged Albanese to include dental in Medicare, extending it from only children to all Australians.

While Treasurer Jim Chalmers said last month there would be more cost of living help in the March 25 budget “if we can afford to do more”, Bandt said there was no need to wait.

“People are facing a cost-of-living crisis now and we can legislate now,” the Greens leader said.

“Passing these cost-of-living measures would help keep Peter Dutton out of the Lodge, as people would see real action to make their lives better.”

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