The lead up to the October election has left voters without a clear indication of the future for Medicare. The Doctors Reform Society calls on all major parties to publicly state their position on the maintenance of Medicare, the universal public health system Australians prefer.

"The electorate is sick of hearing about tax reform while the future of Medicare remains uncertain. The major parties are selling the electorate short if they think the Australian public does not want to hear about the future of Medicare" said Dr Adrian Dunlop, President of the Doctors Reform Society of Victoria.

" There is no guarantee that a Coalition Government will continue to support Medicare. Over the past two and a half years, and throughout the election campaign, the Coalition continues to suggest more Australians should be in the more costly, less efficient private health system" said Dr Dunlop.

"The Coalition has done nothing to defend the allegation that it will slowly dismantle Medicare if it is returned as a government" said Dr Dunlop.

Authors/seconders: A Dunlop, R Marr, T van Lieshout
24 September, 1998