Scott Morrison may need just one more Senate vote to pass Medicare levy
The Turnbull government may need just one more vote from the Senate crossbench to pass the $8.2 billion Medicare levy, which is designed to fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Fairfax Media revealed on Thursday that Treasurer Scott Morrison has been negotiating behind the scenes over the levy, and the government introduced the bill to the Parliament on Thursday.
A deal has not yet been sewn up, but a range of senators have confirmed they back the measure or are open to it, which will raise the levy by 0.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent to help fund the NDIS from July 1, 2019.
A parliamentary inquiry is likely to be held into the levy in September, and the government hopes the Senate will vote on it in October.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald