Mrs DRAPER (2:31 PM) —My question is addressed to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Would the minister update the House on the latest bulk-billing figures? What impact has the government's commitment to strengthening Medicare had on the rate of bulk-billing?

Mr ABBOTT (Minister for Health and Ageing) —I thank the member for Makin for her question. It is great to have you back, Member for Makin. Let me stress that bulk-billing is not the be-all and end-all of Medicare, but it certainly is important. It should be widely available, particularly for pensioners and families. And bulk-billing rates are increasing significantly thanks to the policies of the Howard government.

I can inform the House that, in the September quarter, the national GP bulk-billing rate increased to 71.8 per cent. That is a 5.3 per cent increase since December. The bulk-billing rate for people over 65 increased to 82.1 per cent—that is, more than eight out of 10 consultations for people over 65 are bulk-billed. That is an 8.1 per cent increase since December. I am sure that the new members for Bass and Braddon will be pleased to know that in Tasmania the bulk-billing rate has increased by 14.8 per cent since December. The new members for Kingston and Wakefield will be pleased to know that in South Australia the bulk-billing rating has increased by eight per cent since December. The new members for Bowman and Bonner will be pleased to know that in Queensland the bulk-billing rate has increased by 7.2 per cent since December.

These are not flash-in-the-pan figures; this is the third successive quarter in which the nation's bulk-billing rates have increased. And copayments are going down as well, thanks to the MedicarePlus safety net which members opposite were so keen to oppose in the previous parliament. Australians trust Medicare and they can and do trust this government to make a good system even better.