Mr FORREST(10.53 a.m.) —I am absolutely fascinated to see the interest of the shadow minister, the honourable member for Dobell (Mr Lee), who is at the table, in my electorate. I have been in this place for three years and the problem my electorate has and has had is not new—in fact, it has been there for 13 years. I hope he will forgive me for being a little cynical about his interests being somewhat disingenuous.

In all the representations I made to the previous government on this issue, I got very little response. The shadow minister has made reference to an attempt to adjust the level of graduates but, sadly, it did not work. The vice-chancellors said that there were only 20 possible positions that could be declared. That approach did not work and certainly did not deliver in terms of the needs of my electorate, my 24 hospitals and the number of private clinics that all seek support in some way from Australian doctors.

I am 100 per cent convinced that the response the now Minister for Health and Family Services (Dr Wooldridge) has made will deliver the needs of my electorate in terms of the issue we are discussing. It may take some time—we wait on that—but it is a jolly sight more positive response than what I have seen in the three years I have been here, and this is not the first time I have raised it.

I think the shadow minister ought to be a bit more supportive of the total suite of policy the new government is announcing, support this legislation and let us get on with it. If it does not work, by all means make your judgment. I am very pleased with the response the new minister is making to the needs of my electorate. He and the government have responded in policy terms, to which I have had input. It is time you gave us a bit of support. Let us get on with the job. I am delighted with your interest in my problem.