Fed: Govt plays down reports of Medibank Private sale

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-1999
Fed: Govt plays down reports of Medibank Private sale

The federal government has played down reports that it's secretly planning to sell
off Medibank Private.

The opposition has said the move would send health fund premiums through the roof.

But the government hasn't ruled out selling off the government-owned health insurer
at some time in the future.

The Canberra Times newspaper has reported the government plans over the past five months
to sell off Medibank Private.

But the paper says because of delays in organising a scoping study, the sell-off could
be deferred until after the next election.

A spokeswoman for Health minister MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE says the health department has
drawn up initial planning documents for the sale, but the Minister shelved them in August.

But she says the idea has not been ruled out.

AAP RTV daw/wz/jn/wz/rt

KEYWORD: MEDIBANK (CANBERRA)

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