Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Bill 2009 [No. 2]

An equal number of senators voted in favour and against a motion that the bill be read for a second time,(Read more about the stages that a bill must pass through to become a law here. ) which was introduced by Senator Joe Ludwig. Because no majority was formed, the motion was negatived and so the bill will not be proceeding.

Background to the bill

This bill is part of a package of three bills, which include the Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2009 (No. 2) and the Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Bill 2009 (No. 2). It was introduced to reduce the amount of private health insurance rebate eligible taxpayers with complying private health insurance are entitled to when their income for surcharge purposes is above the relevant Medicare levy surcharge threshold.(More information about the bill, including its explanatory memorandum, is available here.)