MORE than 23,000 older Redlanders with private health insurance have won a temporary reprieve after the Senate booted Labor’s controversial rebate changes from its agenda.
But the fight is far from over, with the Albanese Government moving to reintroduce the legislation in a fresh bid to wind back the higher private health insurance rebate for Australians aged over 65.
The Senate voted 38-23 to discharge the Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance Rebate) Bill 2026 from its Notice Paper, stopping it from progressing in its existing form.
Federal Member for Bowman Henry Pike said the move was a win for older Redlanders already under pressure from rising premiums, power bills and grocery costs.
“Labor’s proposed changes would have hit older Redlanders in the hip pocket at a time when they are already struggling with rising private health insurance premiums, energy bills and grocery prices,” Mr Pike said.
“This was a win for more than 23,000 people aged over 65 in the Redlands that have private health insurance.
“These are our parents, grandparents and neighbours who deserve to enjoy their retirement without worrying about whether they can afford to keep their health cover.”
The proposed changes would remove the higher rebate currently available to eligible people aged 65 and over, bringing their rebate rate into line with younger Australians in the same income bracket.
But Federal Member for Bonner Kara Cook defended the proposed overhaul, saying older Australians would continue to receive income-tested support towards private health insurance.
“Australians over 65 will continue to receive support towards their private health insurance based on their income, with the Government continuing to cover up to a quarter of premiums through the rebate.”
Ms Cook said the change would remove the additional age-based component of the rebate rather than abolish assistance altogether.
