Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Dr Michael Wooldridge, has welcomed the latest MBF Healthwatch survey,conducted by Roy Morgan Research, which found that:-

58% of people believe that the Government has a mandate for the election commitment of a 30% rebate for private health insurance;
65% support the Government's 30% rebate; and
68% believe the Senate should allow the rebate to be introduced.

"These findings support the Government's plan and confirms our belief that the Australian people want further action to arrest the slide in private health insurance," Dr Wooldridge said.

"Labor will be committing political suicide if it abuses its Senate numbers to defeat this vital and valuable initiative, especially with the Carr Government in NSW facing a State election in March.

"If Labor denies people this rebate in the Senate, I will bring the legislation back for a second vote in the week before the NSW State election. If they vote it down again, they will be voting Bob Carr into oblivion.

"I will campaign on this issue with Coalition candidates in NSW marginal seats, and I would expect that the health funds will direct mail every member encouraging them to use their vote to 'send a message to Canberra'.

"Bob Carr and John Della Bosca should take a keen interest in the Senate's deliberations this week, because their future - as well as the future of private health care - may well be doomed if the rebate is voted down by Labor Senators.

"The MBF/Morgan Healthwatch scopes the political dynamics and should terrify every Labor MP in a marginal seat. People want the rebate, acknowledge our mandate and want it to be passed.

"Labor Senators should stop mucking around and let the rebate come in on New Years Day so that both parts of our health system - public hospitals and private health care - have a secure future," Dr Wooldridge said.

Media Contact:
Bill Royce, Dr Wooldridge's office 0412 137 699