10 September 09

The Greens refusal to support means test for health insurance rebate: condemned act of political prostitution.
By refusing to support means test for health insurance rebate, the Australian Greens today showed its true colour of pure opportunism and lack of any commitment towards any issues affecting marginalised communities. The suggested means test will affect only rich people and would save billions of dollars to be spent on other important services.

“While we note that the Greens was jumping up and down demanding abolishing of this rebate since its introduction, when the chance has risen to achieve large proportion of this demands, the Greens senators chose to side against own policy” said Jamal Daoud, spokesperson for Social Justice Network. “Such move could not be interpreted but an act of political prostitution to achieve hidden agendas”

“If the Greens want the voters keep voting for this party, they should stick to their promises and policies. The voters should have doubt over any claim, promise or policy announced by this party”

“We note that this is not the first backflip against own policy. Last month, the Greens voted down proposed government scheme on climate change reduction”

On all levels, the Greens party is the least credible party in Australian politics. There were many backflips on state level, local government level and federal level.

“Some examples of these backlips include Greens Auburn councillor decision to support approving high-rise buildings and her support of demolition of heritage listed buildings, against clear Greens policies on these issues”

The SJN is committed to fight such acts of political prostitution. This would definitely include campaign to exposé these backflips as a clear evidence of lacking clear principled agendas. The SJN is committed to fight for fair go for poor people by supporting abolishing the rebate altogether.

We believe that public money should be spent on public hospitals to afford quality medical attention to each citizen, especially the poor who cannot afford private health insurance.

For more information, you can contact Jamal Daoud on 0404 447 272