Mr SECKER (5:54 PM) —The issue of rural and regional health is a very important one for my electorate, as I am sure it is for many other electorates in Australia. I am proud to represent the coalition government which has spent substantially more money in its first term of government than Labor did in its last term—the amount has nearly doubled, in fact, in regional and rural areas. This, coupled with our $50 million commitment to attract and retain doctors in country areas and the funding of 30 new regional health centres in the future, proves that we are serious about improving the health of all Australians, regardless of where they live. We are not looking for special circumstances; we are just looking for a fair deal.

I am already working with people in my electorate to try to secure one of those new regional health centres. I believe that they are an innovative concept, and I know that people in country areas will greatly benefit from them. I am pleased to say that this government is attending to health issues in rural and regional areas, not simply paying lip-service to them. For 13 years rural health was neglected because of Labor's wasteful spending and mismanagement.

Can I also add that around 40,000 people in my electorate of Barker will benefit from the coalition's 30 per cent health rebate. I will ensure that my constituents know that both Labor and the Democrats are opposed to this legislation—and their opposition seems to be not for any rational reasons but purely political ones. I look forward to helping the people in my electorate and ensuring that they have adequate access to quality health services.

On another health matter, I have written to our state Minister for Human Service, who has suggested an idea that we might be able to use to ensure that doctors do come to country areas so that we do not have that shortage. It is fairly simple, and at a later time I will reveal that possible solution.

Also at a later time, I intend to raise the matter of respite health for the parents of intellectually and physically handicapped children. This especially is a problem in rural areas because they, as yet, do not have the same access to such services as their cousins in the city.

I am also pleased on this occasion to congratulate Trish Draper, the member for Makin on her re-election in the last election. Even the Prime Minister congratulated her on election night. The member for Makin had the lowest swing against her of any member of parliament in South Australia, and this was because of her dedication to her electorate and the compassion that she shows when working with her constituents.

Trish Draper has achieved a lot for her electorate in her first term, and she has been able to do so because of her Liberal philosophies. The constituents of Makin know that the coalition government have made owning a house more affordable. They also know that that government is committed to reforming the taxation laws, which will further strengthen Australia's economy.

The opposite side of the chamber have always felt that they own the seat of Makin, and they took their constituents for granted. The electorate have hit back. At the recent election Ms Gail Gago, a member of the Bolkus Left faction, chose to stand against Trish Draper, after unsuccessfully standing against Trish Worth in the seat of Adelaide in the 1996 election.

Ms Gago sought the seat of Makin in this election because she thought it was easy picking. So cocky was Ms Gago, and so convinced was she that she would win this seat, that she organised photos to be taken by the local press in front of Trish Draper's office in obvious victory mode—and this was three days before the actual election. The voters of Makin proved that the Labor Party cannot take its voters for granted and treat them with contempt. The voters of Makin have proved that the coalition government is a government for everyone, not special interest groups as are represented by the Labor Party.

After losing Adelaide to Trish Worth and losing Makin to Trish Draper, it could be said that Ms Gago has been `rung through the Trishwasher' and that you should never take a Liberal Trish for granted. My seat of Barker has always enjoyed a special connection with Makin. (Time expired)

Question resolved in the affirmative.