“The Rudd government has taken two items off the Medicare schedule which allowed for a modest rebate of $23 for injections to help people with severe, crippling joint pain such as arthritis,” Mr Cobb said.

“People recovering from hip replacements and the like might now find they can’t afford injections for horrendous pain.

“Arthritis Australia is reporting that some people believe they could end up in a wheel chair as a result of this harsh Labor measure.

“Whether you live in Orange, Bathurst, Forbes or Parkes it’s not just regional people under threat this time it is older people who are particularly going to suffer from this.”

“People should no forget this is the same government which also doesn’t want to adequately cover cataracts surgery – effectively putting people’s eyesight at risk because they won’t be able to afford it.

“The cataract issue also has the power to put people’s independence under threat.

“A woman rang my office this week to say her doctor said she must have cataract surgery or her (driver) licence will be cancelled.

“The grey-power is under threat here. We have a high number of elderly and their ranks are growing due to the baby boomers.

“The Rudd government is well aware we have an aging population yet the Prime Minister is targeting things such as cataract and joint injection rebates, at a time when we are seeing more and more people become elderly.

“Let’s not forget Mr Rudd also wants us to work longer before retirement too.

“Mr Rudd must explain why he is targeting our frail and elderly.”