Treasurer Joe Hockey attracted criticism for his attempt to sell the co-payment. Photo: Andrew Meares
December, 2013
Former Abbott adviser Terry Barnes makes a submission to the government's Commission of Audit, suggesting a $6 fee for bulk-billed GP visits.
May, 2014
Weeks after the Commission of Audit report was released, recommending the policy, a $7 GP co-payment was announced in the 2014 budget - covering GP visits, pathology services and diagnostic imaging.
Labor and the Greens quickly announced they wouldn't support the measure. The Palmer United Party, with its crucial Senate votes, also announced its opposition. The Australian Medical Association expressed serious concerns but said it was willing to negotiate.
Two days after the budget, Treasurer Joe Hockey attracted criticism for his attempt to sell the co-payment: "One packet of cigarettes costs $22. That gives you three visits to the doctor. You can spend just over $3 on a middy of beer, so that's two middies of beer to go to the doctor."
November
November 23: Fairfax Media first reports the co-payment has slipped off the government's parliamentary agenda for the year.
November 27: The axing of the GP co-payment makes the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald, which highlights it as one of the policy "barnacles" by the Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
November 27: Confusion reigns as Treasurer Joe Hockey and Health Minister Peter Dutton contradict the reports, with Mr Hockey saying: "Look, it's not a barnacle."
November 30: Fairfax Media reports backbenchers are contradicting themselves about whether the payment will be axed.
December
December 9: Government dumps the $7 co-payment, favouring an optional $5 co-payment for non-concessional patients and cuts to Medicare rebates.
OTHER POLICIES IN DANGER:
- Paid Parental Leave targeted for review over summer.
- Increased student fees at universities blocked by the Senate.
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