(1)   How many (a) holders of private health insurance; and (b) members of Medibank Private were there in the electorate of Lalor at: (i) 1 August 2006, (ii) 1 August 2004 and (iii) 1 August 2001.

(2)   How many Medibank Private offices were there in the electorate of Lalor on: (a) 1 August 2006, (b) 1 August 2004 and (c) 1 August 2001.

(3)   Are there any plans to close, relocate, or open Medibank Private offices in the electorate of Lalor in the next 12 months.

(1)  

(a)   The Minister for Health and Ageing advises that the Department of Health and Ageing has information on holders of private health insurance by electorate, at the end of each financial year. Information on a fund by fund basis is not available. Information is not available for 2001 or 2006. An extract of information for the electorate of Lalor on private health insurance for 2004 is provided below.

Hospitals Information	2004
Percentage of the electorate covered by private hospital insurance	28.7

   Note: As at 30 June 2004.

(b)   Medibank Private Limited has provided information that, based on the data available, the estimated number of Medibank Private members in the electorate of Lalor was as follows:

(i)   1 August 2006 - 18,632 (based on 2004 Electorate Boundaries);

(ii)   1 August 2004 - 17,951 (based on 2004 Electorate Boundaries); and

(iii)   1 August 2001 - 21,346 (based on 2001 Electorate Boundaries).

   (2)   Medibank Private Limited has advised the number of Medibank Private Limited retail centres in the electorate of Lalor as at:

(a)   1 August 2006 - one retail centre;

(b)   1 August 2004 - one retail centre; and

(c)   1 August 2001 - one retail centre.

   (3)   Medibank Private Limited advises that it has no plans to amend the number of retail centres in the electorate of Lalor in the next twelve months.