The future of Farrer MP Sussan Ley’s job as Health Minister is in the spotlight as the Coalition works to claim a majority in the federal election.
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The Labor Party campaigned heavily around a platform of “saving Medicare” from privatisation by the Coalition.
Ms Ley has been criticised reportedly by fellow MPs, and heavily on social media, for not coming out strongly in defence of her party and Medicare.
She did not front any press conferences or issue any media releases on the topic, but was vocal on social media in the days before the election.
“Patients can be assured that there is no change to the Medicare rebate for tests and scans today,” Ms Ley said on Facebook on July 1.
“This is Labor’s latest ditch attempt to scare patients about Medicare.
“The Coalition’s policies are supported by the pathology and diagnostic imaging sectors.”
Her office said she was performing her duties as the member for Farrer this week and meeting with constituents as she waited for the election result.
Ms Ley would not address the media until the result was clear.
Speaking to The Border Mail after the election, she slammed Labor’s Medicare approach as “a disgraceful scare campaign”, but was coy about the impact on voters.
“I don’t know, we’ll wait to see the analysis following the election and I’m quite comfortable with where we are at the moment,” Ms Ley said.
The freeze on Medicare rebates was a hot election issue and the Health Minister told ABC in May, “I want that freeze lifted as soon as possible but I appreciate that Finance and Treasury aren't allowing me to do it just yet”.
Australia Medical Association president Michael Gannon said Australia needed a stable government to give people confidence in seeing the doctor.
“The government’s refusal to change key policies allowed the opposition to spread misinformation about the privatisation of Medicare,” he said.
“The election result is compelling evidence that people want a strong Medicare and a health system.”