Fed: Latham marks health as top policy priority

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2003
Fed: Latham marks health as top policy priority

New Labor leader MARK LATHAM has signalled health as a top policy priority and Prime
Minister JOHN HOWARD is urging him to support the government's Medicare bill.

The government is struggling to get its safety net legislation through the parliament
before Christmas and Mr HOWARD is urging the new Opposition leader to support the bill
in the spirit of bipartisanship.

The safety net is the only part of the government's $2.4 billion Medicare Plus package
requiring legislative approval.

Health Minister TONY ABBOTT is in discussions with the Australian Democrats, offering
to cut the safety net threshold in exchange for guaranteed passage of the bill this year.

Labor has not decided whether it will support the bill, with the vote delayed after
the Medicare changes were sent to a Senate committee to report on February the 11th.

AAP RTV so/sb/rh/lma

KEYWORD: MEDICARE (CANBERRA)

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