Medicare levy rise passes lower house

Treasurer Scott Morrison has pleaded with Labor to "drop its sword" and back its proposal to increase the Medicare levy to fund the national disability insurance scheme.

A package of bills to impose a 0.5 per cent rise on all taxpayers passed parliament's lower house on Wednesday despite opposition from Labor, which only supports it for those with incomes over $87,000.

"Put down at least this sword. Get on board with this and put an end to the mindless opposition to this for political purposes," Mr Morrison told MPs, with the bills to now go before the Senate.