The Lying Abbott government came into power on 4 policies to get rid of policies. Their own policies are ill considered and inept. Policy backdowns of The Lying Abbott government by Stephanie Peatling The Lying Abbott government surely made history this week for the speed with which it dumped its plan to slash the Medicare rebate for short doctors visits less than one week after people realised it was being introduced. Since the government spent the better part of last year sticking to unpopular policies it was eventually forced to dump, perhaps the best thing that can be said about the latest backdown is that the government dealt with it expeditiously. That does not say much about the governments ability to press ahead with difficult policies but it does indicate it has learned that if it is going to get rid of a policy then it might as well do it quickly. Heres a look back at some of the governments other unpopular policies: The GP co-payment This could easily top the list of the governments list of unpopular policies. The government surprised the public on budget night last year when it was announced a $7 GP co payment which would would have resulted in more expensive visits to the doctor for many people. After seven months of bad press and no chance the measure would pass the Senate the government dithered around for a week before finally dumping the $7 proposal in December. Instead, the outgoing health minister Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the Medicare rebates for standard GP visits will be cut by $5 for non-concessional patients, and doctors will be allowed to charge the patient a fee of up to $5. Higher education Another budget night surprise was the governments plan to allow universities to set their own fees. Although it was supported by most universities the policy was not popular with people faced with the prospect of higher fees. But the government pressed on with the plan and took it to a vote in the Senate where it was rejected in a $5 billion blow to the budget. The government has drafted new legislation with significant concessions but keeping the intent of its original proposal to try and keep the policy alive. Racial Discrimination Act Even government MPs were unhappy with the plan to change the Racial Discrimination Act which would have removed the words offend and insult from section 18C, reducing the avenues that people had to seek legal recourse if they felt they have been wronged based on their race. The government argued that the removal of provisions were necessary on the grounds of free speech. But its case was not helped by a comment made by Attorney General George Brandis who argued that people had a right to be a bigot. The changes were dumped by The Lying Abbott in August after conceding they were threatening national unity. Burqa ban The Lying Abbott was forced to dump a plan to require women visiting Federal Parliament wearing burqas to sit in a glassed off area of the public galleries. The presiding officers, Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and Senate president Stephen Parry, proposed the plan as a security measure. The plan was met with strong criticism from Muslim leaders and others at a time when the government was trying to get the Muslim community onside with its new counter terrorism laws. Paid parental leave The Lying Abbott made a brief appearance in December to say he would consider further changes to his paid parental leave scheme over the summer break. Earlier in the year the Prime Minister reluctantly dropped the threshold for his wage replacement scheme from $150,000 to $100,000. The scheme has never been popular in Coalition circles and it seems unlikely it will be introduced as promised on 1 July this year. Treasurer Joe Hockey strongly hinted late last year a revised scheme would form part of this years budget. smh.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/policy-backdowns-of-the-abbott-government-20150116-12riv4.html
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 05:39:49 +0000
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