FED: Govt wont budge on health rebate: PM

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-1998
FED: Govt wont budge on health rebate: PM

CANBERRA, Dec 8 AAP - Federal cabinet today remained determined to push through the
governments private health insurance rebate legislation despite the likelihood of defeat in
the Senate.

Prime Minister John Howard told the joint coalition parties meeting that cabinet had
recommended no changes to the legislation.

A coalition spokesman said the party room endorsed this decision.

The 30 per cent rebate is almost certain to fail to pass the Senate unless amended because
of opposition from Labor, the Australian Democrats and the Greens to the governments $1.5
billion a year plan.

Democrats leader Meg Lees will outline a compromise proposal this afternoon.

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said today the private health legislation was unsaleable and
unuseable.

"Its one and a half billion dollars worth of commonwealth money to march up and down in
the same spot," Mr Beazley told reporters.

AAP sc/mfh/it/br

KEYWORD: INSURANCE HOWARD

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