Mr EDWARDS (3:28 PM) —My question is addressed to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Minister, how does your government propose to honour its commitment to provide free treatment to veterans for their war-caused injuries and illnesses as well as to war widows? Minister, are you calling the bluff of the specialists who have threatened to boycott the gold card, or are you happy to stand by and see our veterans and war widows charged for their health care?

Mrs VALE (Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence) —I thank the honourable member for his question. There is an overwhelming majority of doctors who continue to accept the repatriation gold card for veteran patients. This is yet another easy scare campaign from the Labor Party, which is more interested in scoring very cheap political points than honestly representing the interests of the veteran community. Many in the veteran community happen to be some of our more senior Australians.

Mr Swan —Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. My point of order is very simple: the minister reflected on the member, who is a war veteran.

The SPEAKER —The member for Lilley has just raised a point of order that bears no relevance to the question at all. If the member's statement was a reflection on anybody, it was a reflection on the Labor Party. The minister is in order.

Mrs VALE —For the benefit of all members here who are interested in this important matter, I would like to read some of the correspondence from and media reporting of prominent members of the ex-service community. Firstly, I will read part of a letter from the much respected June Healey, who is the President of the War Widows Guild of Australia. Mrs Healey has written to me, saying:

Mr Edwards —Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. My point of order goes to relevance. My question to the minister asked about those veterans who are not getting access to the health care that they deserve.

The SPEAKER —I was listening closely to what the minister said. I presume she was going to reflect on people who had talked about the access that people have to the gold card or at least to the way in which specialists are servicing members who have access to the gold card. I wonder whether the minister would be assisted if the microphone were a little lower, Prime Minister, so that she can be heard more clearly.

Mr Howard —I will do anything I can to have it broadcast.

Mrs VALE —Secondly, I quote from Mr John Ryan, who is the President of the Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women Limited and a fearless advocate for veterans rights. He was reported in the West Australian newspaper as saying the problem was not serious. Mr Brian McKenzie, National President of the highly regarded Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, in response to a question on the seriousness of the problem, said to ABC Hobart:

These are just some of the examples of veteran representatives exposing the exaggerated claims of Senator Bishop and the Labor Party and the unnecessary fear being spread in the veteran community by Labor's insensitive and irresponsible opportunism.

The government is aware that some medical specialists are unhappy with the level of fees for services to the veteran community. My department, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, is currently discussing the matter with the Australian Medical Association. During these discussions, it would not be prudent of me to comment further. However, the government will not be blackmailed by Labor's unscrupulous and irresponsible tactics on this matter.

Opposition members interjecting—

The SPEAKER —The member for Lilley!

Mrs VALE —I say this quietly—

The SPEAKER —I warn the member for Brisbane!

Mrs VALE —Labor should be supporting the veterans—

The SPEAKER —I warn the Chief Opposition Whip!

Mrs VALE —Labor should be supporting the veterans not the doctors in these discussions. As Dr Tim Woodruff, President of the Doctors Reform Society, said in the Sunday Times:

The majority of GPs and specialists in Australia continue to honour the gold card, and our discussions with the AMA will continue. In the meantime, if any veteran is having any difficulty at all in being treated by a specialist, please contact my department because they will arrange an alternative.

Mr Howard —Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.