NDIS To Be 'Considered' - Opposition
2 May 2013 at 12:19 pm
The Federal Opposition says it will consider supporting the increase in the Medicare Levy to help fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme before the September Federal Election.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, who is on a charity bike ride in Victoria, says he wants the scheme to come into force as soon as possible.
However he says he want to know the full details about how the scheme will be fully funded.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has confirmed that there will be an increase in the Medicare Levy by half a percentage point from 1 July 2014 – this will take the Medicare Levy from 1.5% of taxable income to 2%.
The move comes after Prime Minister Gillard announced $12 billion budget hole. The increase is set to add an additional $300 per year to the Medicare Levy.
"The key thing I need Australians to know is that for someone earning an average wage of around $70,000 a year, this will be a modest contribution of around 96 cents a day," Gillard said.
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) says it's an historic day in Australian politics and the lives of people with disability.
"Today the government and opposition put politics aside in an election year to truly give people with disability across Australia a fair go,"Craig Wallace, President of People with Disability Australia said.
“Today is the day that people with disability around Australia will remember for many years to come. It is the most significant social policy reform of our generation and a win for all Australians."
"The Coalition's in principle agreement to support a levy during the life of this parliament and the government’s work to bring the levy to the table has established bipartisan support for a DisabilityCare Australia levy to ensure its smooth passage through parliament.
"All Australians can be secure in the knowledge that this insurance premium is locked in, through a system that provides significant economic value to our economy and an investment in the economic future of all Australians," Wallace said.
