Health issue may become election trigger

The Rudd government is threatening to recall parliament over Christmas, trying to
force the coalition to back changes to the private health insurance rebate or go to
an early election.
The opposition is staunchly against changes to the rebate, which it believes is
driven by Labor ideology rather than good policy.
The government has sought advice about recalling parliament over the Christmas break
to deal with the proposed laws, which were knocked back by the Senate last week.
If the legislation is defeated again after December 10, the government would have
the trigger to call an early election.
The opposition says it's a bluff but the government is banking on them caving in and
backing the laws rather than face the electorate early.
Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull and the coalition continue to trail badly in the
opinion polls, making an early election an unpalatable proposition.
The coalition baulked at bringing on an early poll over the alcopops tax and is
expected to do the same when climate change legislation returns to parliament in
November.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the government's motivation is getting the bill
passed, not an early election.
"We're determined to get it, it's very important to the budget bottom line," she
told ABC TV on Sunday.
Opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton accused the government of playing politics.
"It's a complete bluff, hoax and more political spin," he told AAP.
The changes, outlined in the May budget, would save the government nearly $2 billion
over four years.
The legislation introduces a means test for the rebate, kicking in at $75,000 for
singles and $150,000 for couples, and increases the Medicare levy for wealthier
people without private health insurance.
The government can get the laws passed with the backing of The Australian Greens,
independent Nick Xenophon and Family First senator Steve Fielding.
Ms Roxon said it could be hard to reach consensus with the crossbenches.
"They all oppose this measure for completely different, sometimes contradictory,
reasons," she said.
But the crossbenches suggest the government's being disingenuous.
"They're rattling sabres before they've gone to the table to have a good talk,"
Greens leader Bob Brown told reporters.
He has suggested the government split the bill, enabling the Greens to back the
rebate changes immediately.
That option doesn't guarantee the support of Senator Xenophon, who wants to see a
Productivity Commission report, due in December, before making up his mind.
Ms Roxon said that was one reason for a December sitting.
"That's not an easy thing to be able to do but we are certainly keeping that open as
an option," she said.
Senators Brown and Xenophon say there is no need to recall parliament.
The Greens say the Productivity Commission could be asked to report early.
It would allow parliament to deal with the legislation before it breaks for the
summer but denies the government an election trigger if the laws are voted down
again.
Senator Xenophon says the legislation could be dealt with early next year as the
laws don't come into effect until July 1, 2010.
"There's no excuse for parliament to be recalled in December unless the government
wants a trigger for an early election in January or February," he told reporters.
Parliament is due to break for the summer on November 26 and is not due to resume
until February next year.
The government sought advice from Senate clerk Harry Evans, who told it that any
recall of the Senate over Christmas would require the support of a majority of
senators.