John Howard Lie # 1 “It is our policy, without qualification, to retain Medicare . . . Not only does Medicare stay but so does bulk billing . . . They are the fundamentals, the underpinnings of the policy.” John Howard, Health Policy launch of “A Healthy Future”, 12 February 1996
The Truth: “No-one can guarantee bulk billing. No-one can guarantee bulk billing without conscripting the medical profession. Medicare has never been universal bulk billing—never . . .” Tony Abbott, Minister for Health and Ageing, Meet the Press, 23 November 2003
John Howard Lie # 2 “Medicare will be retained in its entirety.” John Howard, February 1996
The Truth: The Howard Government abolished the dental plan and bulk billing rates have declined by more than 12 percentage points since the Coalition took office in 1996.
we have a growing nation with rotting teeth because they can't afford dental care - talk about third world standards! shame howard shame!
John Howard Lie # 3 During the 2001 Federal election campaign John Howard promised that his Government’s policies would “lead to reduced premiums” for health insurance. “Heading in the Right Direction”, p151
The Truth: Since the election in 2001, the Government has approved increases in premiums totalling 21 per cent.
Education
John Howard Lie # 4 “I can guarantee we’re not going to have $100,000 university degree courses.” John Howard, interview with Neil Mitchell on Radio 3AW, 15 October 1999
The Truth: 16 different degrees now cost at least $100,000.
John Howard Lie # 5 “We have no intention of introducing a loans scheme with a real or indeed any other rate of interest.” John Howard, in Parliament, 18 October 1999
The Truth: “Debts accrued under FEE-HELP will be indexed to the consumer price index . . . A loan fee of 20 per cent will apply to FEE-HELP loans for undergraduate courses of study only.” Higher Education Loan Programme, Department of Education, Science and Training Update, March 2004
John Howard Lie # 6 “Well, it means that we’ll not have deregulated fees. In other words, the Government will always maintain a control over what the level of the fee is.” John Howard, interview on Radio 3AW, 15 October 1999
The Truth: “We do need more money in our universities . . . and some of it should come outside the budget through a managed and sensible deregulation of the system.” John Howard in Parliament, 16 September 2003
