All Australians will benefit from access to dental work on Medicare, paid for by taxing big corporations that are profiting off price gouging during a cost-of-living crisis.
The policy—the first cost of living help to be paid for by the Greens’ Robin Hood Reforms—was recently announced by Adam Bandt MP at the National Press Club. It will be one of several key policies to help people’s economic pain, paid for by taking on big corporations through the Big Corporations Tax.
With Labor and Liberal lacking the guts to take on the big corporations, the Greens have said that change can only come by voting for it. Putting dental into Medicare, a consistently popular scheme that will make life more affordable for millions, will only come by voting for the Greens.
The policy would ensure that all Australians would be able to access high quality dental care, simply by having a Medicare card.
When last in minority Parliament in 2010, the Greens secured dental care for kids. But despite dental costs continuing to surge, Labor and Liberal have since failed to meaningfully build on the scheme.
A recent study has found that over 60 per cent of Australians have put off dental care in the past year, with a majority saying that their decision to avoid seeing the dentist was due to cost.
With a minority Parliament expected by commentators, the Greens said they will be in a strong position to push Labor to put dental into Medicare and finish the job the Greens started in 2010.
If you have a Medicare card, you should be able to go to the dentist—just like you can go to the doctor—and use your Medicare card,” Bandt said.
“It’s critical that we expand Medicare so it covers everything, for everyone—and that includes your mouth.
“As anyone who’s ever had a tooth ache knows, dental care isn’t optional. It’s ridiculous that this doesn’t already exist.”
