Health insurance saga: Greens welcome inquiry into planned rebates cuts
Greens leader senator Larissa Waters in the Senate courtyard. Picture by Keegan CarrollControversialchanges to private health insurancefor over-65s will now head to a Senate inquiry, as the Greens reveal. . .
Greens leader senator Larissa Waters in the Senate courtyard. Picture by Keegan CarrollControversialchanges to private health insurancefor over-65s will now head to a Senate inquiry, as the Greens reveal which way they will vote. Create afree accountto read this articleor signup to continue readingSpeaking exclusively toThe SeniorGreens Health spokesperson Jordon Steele-John confirmed the party supported taking the plannedlegislation, which would reduce the private health insurance rebate for over-65s, to an inquiry. But Steele-John said the Greens would await "further scrutiny through the inquiry" before deciding on an exact position on the legislation. Health Minister Mark Butler has defended the legislation as necessary to restoring "intergenerational equity". "I understand this won't be a welcome decision for many, but it's the right thing to do," Butler said in a speech at the National Press Club in April. Minister for Health and Aged care Mark Butler during Question Time in January, 2026. Picture from Keegan CarrollSteele-John lashed Labor for "wrong priorities". "Instead of pitting people against each other, cutting . . . cutting support for people, Labor should have been taxing gas exports to fund the essential services we all need," he said. "They have a choice, take more from older Australians, or introduce at least a 25 per cent tax on gas exports - but they are working for corporate profits not people. "Widespread public outrageA large percentage said they were already struggling to pay for much needed healthcare. Jordon Steele-John, the Greens health spokesperson. Picture from Sitthixay DitthavongThe referral to inquiry was resolved at Selection of Bills in late June and agreed to unanimously by the commitee, made up of the whips from Labor, the Coalition, the Greens, and the crossbench. Private Healthcare Australia has welcomed the news of the inquiry, but with caution. Chief Executive Dr Rachel David said every proposed reform should be tested against one fundamental question: "will it help keep private health insurance affordable?""Any proposal that increases premiums risks making health insurance less affordable for Australian families," David said. "If people can no longer afford private health insurance, participation falls, pressure shifts onto the public hospital system, and the sustainability of the entire private healthcare system is undermined. "How other senators will voteThe Liberals have indicated they will block the changes in the Senate, describing it as a "health tax on pensioners". ensuring theTherefore the federal government will need at least four crossbenchers to succeed. Shadow minister for health and ageing Anne Ruston. Picture from Elesa KurtzOne Nation toldThe Seniorthey wouldopposed the changeswith leader Pauline Hanson "furious" about the policy. Senator Jacqui Lambie also said she would oppose the changes. Independent ACT senator David Pocock said he was still consulting widely before deciding his position. "We've heard from some older Australians, we've spoken to medical groups and the AMA and others," Senator Pocock toldThe Senior. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe and United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet have not responded to repeated requests for comment on the issue. Greens leader senator Larissa Waters did not respond to requests for comment. A petition against it launchedNational Seniors said 91 per cent of those they surveyed were opposed to theproposed changes, whereby people aged 65 to 69 would lose four percentage points from their rebate, while over-70s would lose eight percentage points. The consumer advocacy group has launched anonline petitionto push the government to reconsider the cuts, which is estimated to affect 3. 1 million Australians from 2027 if it gets the green light. Twice weeklyThe Senior newslettersStay in the know on news that matters to you with twice weekly newsletters from The Senior.