It has been inferred by an online commentator that I indicated that all of these charges should be free.

Two points to make here. One, everything has never, ever, been free. Second, we are very fortunate in Australia that the depth of our pockets has not dictated whether we will treated for a serious illness or not, yet, but this was not the context in which this topic was being addressed, but rather the comparison to superannuants paying no tax on $100,000 of earnings.

The absence of any comment on this subject suggests you agree with this anomaly.

CAT/PET scans and MRIs are processed for very sick people only, and I can assure you that doctors do not access the above tests unless entirely appropriate. 

The above example of disparity is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unfairness. Fifteen of the hardest-hit seats by these intended charges are in Labor-held low-income electorates. 

The other end of the scale shows that four of the five electorates with the lowest impact are held by Abbott, Hockey, Bishop, and Turnbull, with the communications minister having the lowest impact with an annual loss of $69.50, Hockey's a loss of just $138.80,, Bishop's seat of Curtain just $141.70  and Abbott's seat of Warringah $158.80.

In Bendigo there are some 30,000 pensioners, and high youth unemployment. Recently we have witnessed a concerted campaign by the media and local people to address the hidden poverty in the Bendigo region affecting both young and old alike, but unfortunately in today's world, any empathy for the disadvantaged is trivialised by some who frankly do not care, combined with the resentment being shown to particular sections of the community by our own federal government.

What is this country coming to, and since when has the purpose of our economy not been for the benefit of all people? That's easy to answer - since September 7, 2013.

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