“Find your savings elsewhere.”
There are times in Parliament where you are sharply reminded of the most important role of a politician – representing the public. Giving a voice to Australian families – the men, women and children who are at the end of the decisions that politicians collectively make every day. For me, yesterday was one of these moments.
From the leftover pieces of last year’s disastrous Budget, this week the Turnbull Government introduced the Health Insurance Amendment (Safety Net) Bill 2015. The title might sound harmless, but as always, the devil is in the detail. The Government’s proposed changes to the Medicare safety net come with some nasty catches, and one of the nastiest consequences falls where you might least expect – the thousands of Australians who will need to access reproductive technology to give them a child.
For families undergoing IVF treatment, the financial, personal and physical strain can be significant.
I have seen people close to me struggle with infertility and the immense emotion which comes with the realisation that having a baby simply won’t be the easy journey they hoped.
Watch Kate Ellis address the proposed changes in parliament:
For many, this news comes with emotions not unlike those of grieving a significant loss. A loss of identity. A loss of control. A loss of the ability to conceive.