Centre for Policy Development's Blog, page 138

John Menadue's sizzling critique of the media

The Centre for Policy Development's founder, John Menadue was at the in Melbourne recently. While there was much talk of how digital media is revolutionising the way we create and interact with news, John reminded the audience that while Web 2.0 may be exciting, content remains the critical issue. And we have still some way to go in working out how to resource and support those content-makers (this is an issue beyond journalism) who have the will and the skills to provide...

Means-testing just one way to roll back an inefficient health subsidy

Resident CPD health policy expert, Jennifer Doggett, takes a close look at what the government proposes to include in a bill to be introduced to parliament soon. While labor may now be calling for means testing the private health insurance rebate, Jennifer suggests there are better ways to allocate health funding that deliver health care to people when they need it most.

Almost all health economists and policy experts agree that the private health insurance rebate is a poorly designed and...

Jennifer Doggett: takes a rural look at the private health insurance rebate

CPD Fellow Jennifer Doggett, writing in Crikey's health blog Croakey, argues that the private health insurance rebate rips off the bush.

First published September 16 2010.

"All consumers, with the possible exception of medical specialists and senior health fund executives, should welcome Health Minister Nicola Roxon's announcement that she will re-introduce legislation to means test the private health insurance (PHI) rebate.

As an industry welfare measure, the rebate has undoubtedly been...