22nd Jun 2006, 10:42 PM – Senate Health Legislation Amendment (Private Health Insurance) Bill 2006 - In Committee - Abolish the private health insurance rebate

The majority voted against amendments introduced by Greens Senator Kerry Nettle.

Senator Nettle explained that these amendments "abolish the private health insurance rebate". She argued that this money used to pay this rebate should be "spent on ensuring that we have a quality public health system that all Australians can use".(Read Senator Nettle's full explanation of these amendments here. )

Because the majority voted against these amendments, they were unsuccessful.

Background to the bill

The bill expands the powers of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman when dealing with complaints and conducting investigations on their own initiative or at the Minister’s request, particularly in relation to health care providers or brokers. It also allows additional time for Medicare Australia to provide the Australian Taxation Office with information regarding private health insurance rebates.(Read more about the bill in its bills digest (84.4 KB).)