QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:18): As I said—an $8.5 billion investment in Medicare extending the bulk-billing incentive to cover all 26 million Australians for the very first time. Let's be clear: we have been upfront with the Australian people—nine out of 10 visits bulk-billed by 2030 and the investment in 87 urgent care clinics plus an additional 50, all bulk-billed.

This is what we do. What do they do? They want GP taxes and freezes on Medicare rebates, and this shadow minister's telling Australians, 'I'm sorry; Medicare is unsustainable.' Now you come in here and say, 'Oh!' Well your policy— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat.

Senator Ruston. Senator Ruston: On direct relevance, I've asked the minister a specific question three times today now, and she hasn't answered any of them. Could you please bring her to answering the question, unless she can't.

The PRESIDENT: The minister is being relevant to the question. I'll ask her to continue. Senator WONG: It seems remarkable, doesn't it, that they don't understand that the way you deliver free access to a doctor is through bulk-billing?

She thinks bulk-billing isn't relevant to visits to the doctor—well, that says something about the lack of understanding on that side. (Time expired)