Labor Treating Medicare Like ‘Frankenstein’s Monster': Former Howard-Era Advisor

Labor Treating Medicare Like ‘Frankenstein’s Monster': Former Howard-Era Advisor
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media at a press conference at Bentley Hospital, which is in the Swan electorate in Perth, Australia on May 16, 2022. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
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The Labor Party is simply “throwing money” at Australia’s universal healthcare program Medicare with its near $1 billion (US$700 million) election funding pledge, which one Howard-era advisor says will do little to reform the system despite the hefty price tag.

In an announcement on May 14, the centre-left Labor Party followed up its pledge to “strengthen Medicare” early in the election campaign with a $750 million and $220 million funding proposal to address supposed “rolling cuts and attacks” by the Morrison government.