on 20-03-2015 08:17 AM
Labor frontbencher Andrew Leigh shifts position on previous support for a GP fee
Labor's shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh was once a strong supporter of a compulsory fee for visits to the doctor - a policy now slammed by the opposition as a “GP tax” that would hurt the community’s most vulnerable.
But in a 2003 Sydney Morning Herald article Dr Leigh, then a PhD student in economics at Harvard University, argued a Medicare co-payment was “hardly a radical idea”.
“As health researchers have shown, cost-less medical care means that people go to the doctor even when they don't need to, driving up the cost for all of us," Dr Leigh and co-author Richard Holden wrote.
“But there's a better way of operating a health system, and the change should hardly hurt at all.
“As economists have shown, the ideal model involves a small co-payment - not enough to put a dent in your weekly budget, but enough to make you think twice before you call the doc."
Dr Leigh argued the fee should be enough to deter “frivolous GP visits”, but not enough to limit genuine preventive care. The fee should apply to everyone, including pensioners, except those who are chronically ill, he wrote.
Dr Leigh, who has opposed the proposal in media appearances over recent weeks, told Fairfax Media: "Since 2003, a lot has changed in the health care system, and I've changed my view on co-payments.
“A GP co-payment was originally a Hawke government proposal led by Brian Howe, a member of the Left faction,” he said.
“As long as it is applied fairly across the community, a co-payment is a perfectly valid policy measure. If Andrew Leigh, before he had to toe the party line, recognised that then I welcome his contribution to the debate. I respect Andrew Leigh as a sensible economist.”
On Saturday, Dr Leigh, a former professor of economics at the Australian National University, distanced himself from an article he wrote in 2004 supporting fee deregulation for universities – another policy opposed by Labor.
Yes, it’s the very well respected ALP whey-faced Dr Andrew Leigh who virtually declared his previous books and speeches as mere works of fiction. This brings into sharp focus Dr Leigh's economics degree.
20-03-2015 04:53 PM - edited 20-03-2015 04:56 PM
Daily clangers, gaffes, howlers, back flips, backdowns, about faces, cave in's, broken promises, undisciplined thought bubbles... haven't got much to work with here compared to the Diary of our current Govt....
on 20-03-2015 06:01 PM
@myoclon1cjerk wrote:
2004? How about a more recent one like the COAL-itions volte-face on an ETS after John Howard said they'd introduce one.
That belongs in "Diary of our stinking government. You do know the difference twixt the government and the opposition I hope.
on 20-03-2015 06:06 PM
P'dallie, d9275, g58, am3, as is customary for the self-appointed arbiters here I would like to tell you you're in the wrong area. Please post you thoughts in the "Diary of our stinking government".
on 20-03-2015 06:14 PM
when in opposition....
‘Bad bosses, like bad fathers and husbands, should be tolerated because they do more good than harm’
‘I think it would be folly to expect that women will ever dominate or even approach equal representation in a large number of areas simply because their aptitudes, abilities and interests are different for physiological reasons’
‘Gillard won’t lie down and die’
‘If you want to put a price on carbon why not just do it with a simple tax.’
on 20-03-2015 07:24 PM
@village_person wrote:P'dallie, d9275, g58, am3, as is customary for the self-appointed arbiters here I would like to tell you you're in the wrong area. Please post you thoughts in the "Diary of our stinking government".
Sorry, but posters don't get to choose which threads other posters are allowed to post in.
on 20-03-2015 07:42 PM
Seems it was the PM dropping the 'stinking' comments, not the Oppostion Leader.
AFR
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has again apologised for his "over the top remark" comparing the Opposition Leader to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.
It shouldn't have been said," Mr Abbott told ABC radio on Friday. "I immediately withdrew it and apologised for it.
"All of us from time to time in heated debate... sometimes go too far. I accept that."
In federal parliament on Thursday, Mr Abbott called Bill Shorten the "Dr Goebbels of economic policy".
on 20-03-2015 07:50 PM
Hello, everyone. Just want to remind you that interpersonal dispute isn't allowed, please stay on topic. Thanks. 🙂
20-03-2015 08:17 PM - edited 20-03-2015 08:17 PM
@am*3 wrote:Seems it was the PM dropping the 'stinking' comments, not the Oppostion Leader.
AFR
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has again apologised for his "over the top remark" comparing the Opposition Leader to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.
It shouldn't have been said," Mr Abbott told ABC radio on Friday. "I immediately withdrew it and apologised for it.
"All of us from time to time in heated debate... sometimes go too far. I accept that."
In federal parliament on Thursday, Mr Abbott called Bill Shorten the "Dr Goebbels of economic policy".
Only it wasn't a mistake. It was a staged for the camera moment in readiness for the next election campaign.
And he didn't really apologise he made a mockery of I withdraw, I withdraw, I withdraw, with laughter and arms waving.
20-03-2015 08:47 PM - edited 20-03-2015 08:47 PM
Yes, I saw the photo of him laughing then.
While in Opposition - 2011
Abbott declared - It is an absolute principle of democracy that governments should not and must not say one thing before an election and do the opposite afterwards.
Oh really?
on 20-03-2015 09:00 PM
@am*3 wrote:Sorry, but posters don't get to choose which threads other posters are allowed to post in.
A very good point am*3. It is to be hoped that the soi-disant grammar and spelling police (we know who they are don't we) heed your very wise words about not offering advice to others. Let's also hope that pouting, sweet lips issuing a peccavi acts as a salve to some people