Mr WINDSOR (3:21 PM) —My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, in a bid to preserve patient rights and provide long-term security for doctors, will the government undertake to examine taking over financial responsibility for the liability of medical indemnity claims notified after three years for adults and six years for children as a means of providing a lasting solution to the current situation?

Mr HOWARD (Prime Minister) —I am not a person who, out of hand, accepts or dismisses suggestions that are made. I will examine that proposal, but let me make this observation: the idea that for a class of procedures and a class of cases you totally remove any concept of insurance for professional negligence represents a very big step away from notions of personal responsibility. As the Treasurer rightly pointed out in the answer he gave earlier, doctors are not the only people in the community who must insure against professional negligence.

I think what has happened is that the verdicts that have been awarded have driven premiums too high—that really is the core of the problem. On top of that there have been issues in relation to UMP, which insures about 60 per cent of doctors around Australia. You have had very careless premium setting policies—in contrast, I might say, to the policies of other medical defence organisations. I have had a number of complaints from doctors in Tasmania and Victoria who said, `Our premium policies were different.' But I think the House ought to bear in mind that there has been a significant problem with insurance generally around the world. Premiums for professional negligence have gone up. You must remember that HIH got into trouble largely because of the difficulties in its professional indemnity area rather than in other areas. As I always do with suggestions that are made in this House, I will examine it; but I would want the member for New England to bear those comments in mind because they will very heavily condition my attitude.

Mr Speaker, while I am on my feet, could I add to an answer given by the Minister for Health and Ageing?

The SPEAKER —It is customary to add to answers at the end of question time, Prime Minister.

Mr HOWARD —Thank you, Mr Speaker.