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.@JoeHockey sues Fairfax over 'Treasurer For Sale' headline, even though he tweeted the same about Kevin Rudd #auspol

read more: http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/hockeys-defamation-suit-shows-need-for-wider-free-speech-debate,6525

A Department of Human Services phone line is telling callers that changes to Medicare, including the new $7 GP co-payment, are set to apply from July 2015.

The changes to Medicare are among the most controversial proposals in the federal budget, and it is far from clear whether they will pass the Senate.

But callers to the Department of Human Services Medicare program have heard a pre-recorded message saying the changes will take effect from July 2015.

The message says: "From the first of July 2015 the Medicare benefit will be reduced by $5 for all patients for non-referred general practitioner consultations, out-of-hospital pathology episodes [and] out-of-hospital diagnostic imaging services."

The recording also suggests the controversial $7 GP co-payment has also already been approved.

"Patient contribution of $7 will be introduced and this may be charged by the provider."

The message has been posted even though the Government has not yet introduced the laws required to enact the change.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-29/government-phone-message-tells-callers-co-payment-to-launch/5486350

One of Australia's foremost budget experts says if key budget measures do not pass through the Senate, hundreds of billions of dollars in spending will be added to the nation's books.

Chris Richardson, from Deloitte Access Economics, has told ABC TV's 7.30 program the Senate plan to block cuts and new fees from the Abbott Government's first budget will cost $300 billion over the next decade.

"Essentially, the Senate is not just blocking the budget for the next handful of years, but blocking the budget for the next decade," he told 7.30.

"And it says deficits as far as the eye can see unless there is some breakthrough in political processes.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-16/deadlock-leaves-government-facing-300b-budget-hole/5602580

300 billions could be gained back in less than a couple of years with proper taxation of the rich and of the miners with a mining tax on turnover... Piece of cake... But Joe won't go there... He prefers drawing blood out of the poor people... and when they run out of blood, he tries sucking the life out of them...