The decision not to proceed with the proposed charge was made by federal cabinet on Monday.

But this leaves the government with a $1 billion black hole, and no replacement policy in sight.

Border Medical Association chairwoman Eliza Tweddle said yesterday it was imperative the government did not rush into an alternative.

“I don’t think it necessarily needs to be soon because quick-fixes often don’t result in an ideal outcome or solution,” she said.

“They need to do some good consultation, good planning and then implement something in a timely fashion that’s well thought out.”

The government’s decision did not surprise Dr Tweddle, who has held discussions with Health Minister and Farrer MP Sussan Ley.

Dr Tweddle said it was clear there was a lack of support for the $5 co-payment in the medical community.

“However, as a community we acknowledge that health care costs are rising and the government has to do something about that,” she said.

Dr Tweddle said whether that was in primary health care, general practice or hospital or specialist settings, changes were going to have to be made.

“That’s where we are I suppose a little bit anxious about how those changes are going to be implemented and what they’ll be,” she said.

“We don’t know that at the moment.”

While the co-payment is gone, the government has not removed its freeze on the rebate Medicare pays to doctors until 2018.

Dr Tweddle said that remained a major issue, especially “in terms of every other ancillary staff member in the health profession”.

“Receptionist staff, our audiologists, laboratory staff and everyone else’s wages are indexed,” she said.

“Whereas this means we (doctors) don’t have that equivalent basic right.”

Dr Tweddle said she had faith in Ms Ley on the issue as she was “very approachable, very aware and very sensible, a smart lady”.

What was most paramount though, she said, was the system could not continue without change.

“None of us are unreasonable,” Dr Tweddle said.

“But we want good health care for patients and for the most vulnerable in the community in a sustainable fashion, which at the moment it isn’t.”

Dr Tweddle said the government clearly realised it needed to bring the wider medical community along with it to achieve the right outcomes.

“They’ve definitely got that attitude,” she said.

“They’re engaging more and making efforts to do so.

“I commend Sussan Ley on her efforts to date and I expect that will continue.”