Australian parliament blocks private health insurance rebate cuts
The Greens block Labor's proposal to reduce rebates for over-65s unless pensioners are exempted from the new rules.
At a glance
- The Greens blocked the government's plan to reduce private health insurance rebates for over-65s
- The party demands a carve-out for pensioners as a condition of support
- The proposal was projected to save the federal budget $3 billion
- Nearly 80,000 older Australians were expected to lose private health cover under the plan
Australia's parliament has blocked the government's proposal to cut private health insurance rebates for people over 65. The Greens party said they would withhold support for the measure unless pensioners receive an exemption from the new rules.
The proposed changes were scheduled to take effect from April 2027 and were expected to save the federal budget $3 billion. According to projections, almost 80,000 older Australians were expected to end their private health cover by 2028-29 as a result of the proposal.
Why it matters
The rebate cuts were a key budget measure for the government, but parliamentary opposition has stalled implementation of the policy.
Original reporting
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