Health Minister Peter Dutton has flagged an overhaul of Medicare, suggesting Australians who can afford it should pay more for their healthcare.
Mr Dutton used a major speech today to declare he wants there to be a frank, fearless and far-reaching discussion about the health system.
He argued the system is unsustainable and he wants to "modernise and strengthen" Medicare.
He has told the ABC's 7.30 program there needs to be discussion around co-payments.
"Commonwealth and state governments contribute 92 cents in the dollar for those treated in the public system," he said.
"Therefore, one important job of the Abbott Government is to grow the opportunity for those Australians who can afford to do so to contribute to their own healthcare costs.
One important job of the Abbott Government is to grow the opportunity for those Australians who can afford to do so to contribute to their own healthcare costs.
Peter DuttonVIDEO: Watch the interview with Peter Dutton (7.30)
"If they have a means to contribute to their own healthcare, we should be embarking on a discussion about how that payment model will work.
"I want to make sure that for argument's sake we have a discussion about you or me on reasonable incomes [and] whether we should expect to pay nothing when we go to a doctor."
There has recently been debate over a proposal to charge patients $6 to visit their general practitioner.
A Commission of Audit, set up by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, received a submission recommending the co-payment system for GP visits.
Under the proposal, pensioners and concession card holders would be exempt from the fee, while families would be granted up to 12 bulk-billed visits annually.
The Australian Medical Association criticised the plan, saying it would discourage people from visiting a doctor if they are sick.
Dutton urges 'bold new ideas' from private sectorMr Dutton says the private health sector also has a key role to play in making the system more sustainable.
"I believe significant productivity gains can, and must, come through a combination of improved public sector efficiency and bold new ideas from the private sector," he said.
"The private sector has a key role to play to ensure the required productivity gains are realised, including through innovation and technology."
Meanwhile Mr Dutton has defended his Assistant Minister, Fiona Nash, who is now facing calls to resign.
Senator Nash's chief of staff, Alistair Furnival, last week quit after Labor accused him in Parliament of breaching the code of conduct for his lobbying links.
The Greens are now calling for Senator Nash to stand down, saying she has failed to fully explain the extent of
Mr Furnival's links to the food and alcohol industries.
Mr Dutton has told 7:30 Mr Furnival did not have a conflict of interest.
"I knew of course, as everybody else did, Mr Furnival's history," he said.
"As I'm advised, the appropriate declarations were made and signed and as I say, Mr Furnival has now moved on."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-19/peter-dutton-flags-medicare-overhaul/52709...
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