Mr LEE —My question is again addressed to the Minister for Health and Family Services. Is the minister aware of the report on health information management and telemedicine of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs which was presented earlier today? Is the minister aware that recommendation 12 of the report advocates changes to the bulk billing arrangements which would be an incentive to doctors who currently bulk bill to introduce additional co-payments for consultations? Will the minister immediately rule out this co-payment proposal or is this just another example of the government's attempts to undermine bulk billing and Medicare?

Dr WOOLDRIDGE —I must say I am puzzled. I am not sure how I could be aware of this report because it would be quite improper for me to know about it prior to it being tabled. I was not informed that it was going to be tabled and I presume the Labor Party members have broken the rules of this parliament and told you beforehand.