Green Party’s Dental Plans Unlikely To Go Ahead
Australian Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, has hinted that dental plans proposed by the Green Party are unlikely to go ahead.
The Green Party has been actively campaigning for the introduction of a universal dental scheme since they agreed to join the coalition government, when Julia Gillard’s party failed to gain a majority vote. However, the Labor Party has stalled and now it seems like proposals will not go ahead.
Speaking to the National Press Club, Ms Roxon said that her party was in talks with the Greens over new measures, but hinted that the introduction of a universal scheme was unlikely because of the costs involved. Roxon said that the scheme would come to at least $5 billion per year and there was not enough money in the budget to cover the costs.
An advisory council is due to report to the government in the coming weeks with suggestions and ideas to improve and reform the system. The Green Party is eager to make dental services accessible to everyone and cut waiting, lists but they have been left frustrated by Labor.
Ms Roxon said that measures will be introduced to make dental care more accessible to low income families and this move has received backing from Green’s health spokesman, Richard di Natale, who said that it was right to prioritise those who struggle to afford regular dental appointments.
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