QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (14:57): Thank you, Senator Ananda-Rajah. Again, this question provokes significant response from those opposite, doesn't it? Because, thanks to our record investment in Medicare—although people over there may not want to hear this news—bulk-billing is, in fact, rising in every state and territory.

So it is rising in South Australia, Senator Ruston. And, Senator Nampijinpa Price, in the Northern Territory it is up 13 per cent. In my home state of New South Wales, it may be of interest to senators to know that it is up more than four per cent.

Labor knows what strengthening Medicare actually means for Australians. It means more people seeing a doctor and more people getting care without worrying about the bill. We know what Medicare means, but I was surprised to learn that not everybody does.

Senator Ruston has recently asked the department, 'I'm keen to understand what Medicare—' (Time expired)