Labor party set to go back on promise for dental scheme
The Australian Labor party is set to go back on a promise made to the Green party to introduce a universal dental scheme, it has been announced.
Health Minister, Nicola Roxon has now ruled out a dental subsidy scheme, claiming that there is not enough money available to support a new dental programme. The establishment of a new dental scheme was a key element of the agreement between the Labor party and the Green party when Labor failed to gain the majority of the vote in the election.
Ms Roxon also warned medical researchers that they were in for a significant funding cut, as she announced plans for the budget in May; there has been speculation recently that 400 million dollars will be cut from the research budget.
In September last year, Julia Gillard, the Prime Minister, signed an agreement stating that a new dental scheme would be introduced as part of the coalition plans; less that a year later, the health minister has ruled this out. The Green party will be required to agree to the budget, which will be announced in May and it is expected that they will react angrily to the absence of a new dental scheme.
Dental experts are also angry; they feel that dental health has been off the agenda for several years and were given hope when Labor made an agreement with the Green party. In some areas of Australia, people are waiting over a year for routine dental care.
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