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Timeline: The rise and fall of the GP co-payment

As the Government announces the scrapping of the GP co-payment, look back at the key announcements regarding the scheme.

Budget papers outline proposed GP co-payment

May 13, 2014

The Government announces plans to charge a $7 co-payment for visiting the doctor.

Days later Health Minister Peter Dutton says the Government will not negotiate on introducing the charge, claiming the charge is necessary to make Medicare sustainable.


Peter Dutton says package will set up Medicare for 'generations'

May 21, 2014


In an interview with the 7.30 program, Peter Dutton says the proposed GP co-payment will strengthen Medicare.


'Securing Australia's health future': Dutton at National Press Club

May 28, 2014


Peter Dutton addresses the National Press Club on "Securing Australia's health future".


Tony Abbott leaves room to move in 'refining' the GP co-payment

June 1, 2014


Prime Minister Tony Abbott indicates he is open to the "refinement" of the GP co-payment as the Government negotiates to get its budget measures through parliament.

After preliminary discussions with some crossbenchers Mr Abbott says he is confident the budget will pass, and appears open to negotiations.


Tony Abbott talks 'price signals'

June 26, 2014



Co-author of study into the GP co-payment warns of impacts

July 7, 2014


A co-author of a study into the effects of the proposed co-payments regime, Dr Clare Bayram, says the scheme is likely to deter the "most vulnerable in the community from seeking care due to higher costs that they would face."

The University of Sydney study suggests a young family - classified as one with two children aged below 16 with two parents aged between 25-44 years - would pay an additional $184 more per year on average to access medical care.

The study reinforces concerns from groups, such as the Consumers Health Forum and GP organisations, that introducing a co-payment for GP visits, pathology and imaging services could deter vulnerable groups from seeking medical care.


Former Liberal Treasurer Peter Costello urges party to 'move on'

August 10, 2014



Hockey hoses down speculation GP co-payment will be dumped

August 11, 2014


Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey forges ahead with plans for the unpopular co-payment, rejecting advice from Peter Costello to scrap it.

Rebuffing his predecessor, he labels the former treasurer's comments as "not good advice".


Federal Government considering exempting the elderly

August 13, 2014



Clive Palmer kills off GP co-payment's Senate chances

August 26, 2014



Tony Abbott plans for 'barnacle-clearing'

November 25, 2014


Tony Abbott tells the Coalition party room he plans to knock "one or two barnacles off the ship" before Christmas - including the $7 co-payment.

Sources tell the ABC that the Coalition is "willing to go back to the drawing board".

Tony Abbott flags dumping budget plan for 'optional co-payment'

December 9, 2014

Tony Abbott announces the $7 co-payment plan is being dumped, and replaced by a $5 fee to be paid by doctors.

The Government says the move will end the "troublesome issue of six-minute medicine" and encourage doctors to spend more time with patients, but GPs' groups say their members will be forced to pass the cost on to patients.


Federal Government scraps proposed Medicare rebate changes

January 15, 2015


The Federal Government dumps plans to cut the rebate for short GP visits by $20, amid a fierce political backlash and stiff opposition from doctors.

New Health Minister Sussan Ley announces the changes will not go ahead but says the Government is still committed to a GP co-payment as a price signal in the health system.


Sussan Ley suggests GP co-payment could see more changes

January 16, 2015


Ms Ley suggests there could be further changes to the Government's proposed GP co-payment, a day after dumping a contentious plan to cut Medicare rebates for short doctor visits.

The new Health Minister says she will undertake "wide-ranging" consultation with doctors and the community across the country to come with "sensible options" for Medicare reform.


Tony Abbott: no policies without 'broad backing' of doctors

February 9, 2015



Sussan Ley says priority to get health policy 'right'

February 18, 2015



Tony Abbott says Government 'rethinking' some policies

February 28, 2015



Tony Abbott says Government 'determined' to protect bulk billing for vulnerable

March 2, 2015



MPs told of co-payment's demise

March 3, 2015


The Coalition party room is told the co-payment is being scrapped. The announcement comes the morning after Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg let the cat out of the bag on Q&A, telling host Tony Jones the policy was being dumped because "there wasn't enough support for it".