The Greens are spruiking their policy to bring dental into Medicare as a key demand in a minority Parliament this morning in the tightly contested seat of Macnamara – which would turn Green if just 300 people change their vote.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt and Senator Steph Hodgins-May will be joining Macnamara candidate Sonya Semmens, Wills candidate Samantha Ratnam and a giant red toothbrush, which is making its debut on the campaign trail, in front of Luna Park’s big mouth entrance.
The Greens want to spread big healthy smiles, like Luna Park’s, across the country by making sure everybody has access to dental care through Medicare.
The move comes as the Greens release a new Parliamentary Budget Office analysis for the popular measure. With experts saying the May 3 election is likely to return a minority Parliament, the Greens have already put free GP visits and ending native forest logging on their list of negotiating priorities following the election. More announcements about the Greens’ key demands will be released over the course of the campaign, including around housing and climate.
Putting dental into Medicare is expected to cost $45 billion over the forward estimates, which would be funded by the Greens’ ‘Robin Hood Reforms’ that would raise $121 billion over the same period. These reforms include taxing the excessive profits of big corporations, including mining, coal, gas and oil companies.
Comments attributable to Greens leader Adam Bandt MP:
“The country is on track to elect a minority Parliament and the Greens will keep Dutton out and get Labor to act by getting dental into Medicare.
“In the last minority Parliament, the Greens got dental into Medicare for kids, and now we want to finish the job and get it for everyone. This election is a once in a generation chance to get dental into Medicare for everybody.
“Voters here in Macnamara are powerful, and by voting Sonya Semmens into Parliament, they can help put dental into Medicare – locking in an effective, progressive reform that will put smiles on faces for generations.
“In a wealthy country like Australia, everyone should be able to afford the basics, like dental care.
“Under Labor and Liberal, 1 in 3 big corporations pays no tax.
“The Greens will tax big corporations and billionaires so you can get your teeth fixed.”
Comments attributable to Greens Health spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John:
“Both Labor and the Liberals acknowledge that putting dental into Medicare is a good idea, but say we can’t afford to.
“The reality is we can’t afford not to. Putting dental into Medicare will mean people can see the dentist when they need to instead of putting it off for years.
“This will help people avoid pain and live better lives, as well as prevent small dental issues becoming big health problems that require hospitalisation, which will save public money in the long-term.”
Comments attributable to Greens candidate for Macnamara Sonya Semmens:
“Right now when people need to see a dentist, they either have to endure long waits to access the limited public dental services or are paying through their teeth to see a private dentist.
“When I’m out doorknocking, people tell me they can’t understand why Medicare currently stops at your neck. Nothing changes if nothing changes, this election vote Greens to get dental into Medicare.”
Comments attributable to Greens candidate for Wills Samantha Ratnam:
“The cost of living crisis continues to bite and people in my community are telling me that instead of seeing a dentist, they’re having to grin and bear it because they can’t afford the hundreds to thousands of dollars it would cost.
“The Greens are working to put dental into Medicare so people no longer have to choose between paying the bills and getting the healthcare they need.”