QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (14:34): It's always difficult to comment on an individual case when I don't know all of the circumstances that face Linda— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator McALLISTER: but I will say this: all people over the age of 65 will continue— The PRESIDENT: Minister McAllister, please resume your seat.

Senator Cash and Senator Ruston, stop interjecting. I can't be clearer than that. Minister, please continue.

Senator McALLISTER: Under the proposed changes, all Australians will now receive the same private health support based on their income, not their age. Over-65s will still receive significant government subsidised discounts of up to 24 per cent on the premiums that private health insurers charge them, and that is the same as the rest of the population. As I indicated in my answer to your primary question, the average impact on those 65 years and older is less than a dollar a day—an average of $250 a year.