澳大利亚总理阿博特2014年12月13日视频致辞

A Message from the PM

 

13 December 2014

 

A lot of good things have happened in 2014.

The boats have stopped, the carbon tax is gone, red tape is being cut, free trade agreements have been finalised and the largest roads programme ever is now underway.

 

Since the end of last year, over 160,000 new jobs have been created – and this is helping families and small businesses right around Australia.

 

But we’ve also listened to the Australian people.

 

This week, we announced changes to ensure that Medicare is sustainable for the long term while also protecting the vulnerable.

 

GPs will have the option of charging those, like me, who can afford to pay up to $5.

 

But bulk billing will be protected for children under 16, for pensioners, concession card holders, veterans, and for people in nursing homes and other aged care accommodation.

 

Ten years ago Medicare was costing us $8 billion, it’s now costing $20 billion. In a decade, it will be costing us some $34 billion.

 

That’s why the Government is acting now to protect Medicare for the long term.

 

We’re also acting to improve child care and parental leave.

 

Australian families are doing their best to juggle work, family life and child care.

 

So we’re developing a comprehensive plan that will both deliver a parental leave scheme which really helps families as well as deliver more affordable and more accessible child care.

 

The Government is listening and it’s delivering.

 

Our policies are creating jobs, helping families and bringing the Budget back under control.