A third of a packet of cigarettes or two beers...

[*elizabeths-mum*]

What if you don't smoke or drink?

[lakeland27]

the forgotten public servants . never any recognition. we wouldn't;t have a TAB or Crown , gamblers are builders .

[spotweldersfriend]

This country was built on long shots,nicotine and the amber fluid.

[cherry*135]

Pfft.. people on low incomes that don't drink ..what do they give up to be able to have a spare $7... two loaves of bread, milk?

Treasurer Joe Hockey hit back at critics of the proposed $7 per visit GP payment, likening it to the daily costs met by smokers and drinkers.

‘‘Some people are screaming about a $7 co-payment,” he said. “One packet of cigarettes costs $22. That gives you three visits to the doctor. You can spend just over $3 on a middy of beer, so that’s two middies of beer to go to the doctor.

[boris1gary]

---

@am*3 wrote:

Pfft.. people on low incomes that don't drink ..what do they give up to be able to have a spare $7... two loaves of bread, milk?

Treasurer Joe Hockey hit back at critics of the proposed $7 per visit GP payment, likening it to the daily costs met by smokers and drinkers.

‘‘Some people are screaming about a $7 co-payment,” he said. “One packet of cigarettes costs $22. That gives you three visits to the doctor. You can spend just over $3 on a middy of beer, so that’s two middies of beer to go to the doctor.

---

lets just hope he keeps babbling, he can babble himself all the way out of government.

[spotweldersfriend]

He should have said "Get rid of Foxtel.That's 6 visits per month.Dump the Telegraph.That's one visit per week"

[freakiness]

That would have got him into trouble with the boss

[bluecat*dancing]

I am frugal, don't smoke, rarely drink and receive the DSP. Tell me, Mr Hockey, what do you suggest I forgo?Visits to the GP for regular blood tests? Medications?

[daydream**believer]

i really like Joe Hockey but this is really bad. He is assuming those not happy about the payemt are all smokers and drinkers.

“I'd say to you, Chris, one of the things that quite astounds me is some people are screaming about a $7 co-payment,” Mr Hockey said.

“One packet of cigarettes costs $22. That gives you three visits to the doctor. You can spend just over $3 on a middy of beer, so that's two middies of beer to go to the doctor.

“And is a parent really going to deny their sick child a visit to the doctor which would be the equivalent payment of a couple of beers or one-third of a packet of cigarettes?”

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/less-than-two-middies-joe-hockey-defends-7-gp-...

[*elizabeths-mum*]

It makes one sick reading that, DDB. 😞

[spotweldersfriend]

I've never liked Joe.He's lied through that grin from day one.