The GST was never intended (or claimed) to replace income tax, but ISTR it was claimed it would replace all state taxes. The government had the slogan "Goodbye State Taxes". They also claimed it was "Goodbye Seven Taxes" until the opposition pointed out that one of those seven taxes had been abolished years before.

From Monday, the rebate for appointments lasting less than 10 minutes will be cut from $37.05 to $16.95.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) said in many cases doctors would have to pass the cost onto patients.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Labor would move to disallow the $20 cut when Parliament resumed next month, adding the change would be damaging for patients.

"Our position is unequivocal, it's in black and white," he said.

"We will oppose Tony Abbott absolutely changing the rebate system for our GPs, making it a lot harder and through this sneaky back-door method.

Towards a two-tiered health system

The Federal Government's stated concern about "6 minute medicine" is a sham. The real agenda is to reduce Medicare, which is why we should be glad that the Senate has indicated its opposition, writes Tim Woodruff.
"We will say to Tony Abbott 'you are not going to damage the Medicare system if we've got anything to do with it'."

With Labor joining the Greens to support a disallowance motion, only another four votes are needed from the crossbench.

Premier Campbell Newman denies his time as Liberal National Party (LNP) leader has been marked by internal conflict.

Five MPs, including assistant health minister Chris Davis, quit the LNP during the Newman government's first term.

But speaking to 612 ABC Brisbane, Mr Newman insisted one of his achievements was keeping his team together.

"A leader has to have clear direction and vision," he said.

"A leader has to look after the group needs, keep the group together, and that's what I've done as state leader.

"It has been a very strong team and it has been a strong team compared to other political teams that have a go at one another and aren't united."

Mr Newman also said he had no succession plan in place in case he lost his seat of Ashgrove in the January 31 poll.

Is Abbott for real or is he trying to cause chaos. With his sly cuts to doctors, and saying if these cuts don’t go ahead it will cost the budget 1.5 billion. He could dream up anything and claim it will cost the budget.
I think he has a mentality problem, and the sooner the rest of his govt; come to that conclusion the better. It doesn’t sound very positive for his more compassionate 2015.

Abbott would be better off getting the masses off of their tobacco, booze and junk food addictions if he wants to save the health care system billions of dollars.
I see that he has now backed out of slugging the sick an extra $20 but it looks like he's still on a mission of trying to be the most unpopular PM in Australia's history.

The Government's backdown over the Medicare rebate is evidence of decision-making that is as chaotic as it is confusing, and does not augur well for a Prime Minister who continues to govern with out direction or consequence.
How long can this go on, surely Abbott's chances have expired.