Dr WOOLDRIDGE (Minister for Health and Family Services)(11.28 p.m.) —Very briefly, with respect to the Senate committee—given that I only found out about this just before coming into the House—I am afraid the Senate is a bit of a mystery to me. I try to concentrate on the things I can understand and influence. I am still trying to work out how I can either understand or influence the Senate. I am not sure I am going to be successful. To be honest, I do not know what the propriety is. I would be very concerned to act within the propriety. I am not sure of the propriety of a minister attempting to influence a Senate committee. Within what is proper, I will see what I can do. But I do put that caveat on it.

I would say, though, that, as I understand how the Senate committee is working, anyone will have the chance to make a submission. The AMA will have a chance to put any views that it wishes in writing to the Senate committee. I understand that because of time the Senate committee has chosen a limited number of people to formally appear before it. I must say it is good that the opposition's relationship with the AMA has improved in the last seven months. Long may it continue.