Senator ELLISON (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Family Services and Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General)(9.15 p.m.) —I have here a breakdown of the costs in relation to the indexation in respect of thresholds. With respect to the private health incentive threshold, I am advised that the cost would be: 1998-99, $11 million; 1999-2000, $24 million; and 2000-01, $38 million. That adds up to a total of $73 million. With respect to the Medicare surcharge threshold indexation, I am advised that the cost is: 1998-99, nil; 1999-2000, $10 million; 2000-01, $25 million. That would be a total of $35 million. I am advised that, in the year 1999-2000, the $10 million would relate to when the assessments would first become effective.

Senator Neal —Could I ask the parliamentary secretary to table that document; it is a bit hard to understand exactly what figures you are indicating.

Senator ELLISON —Certainly, that can be done. I will arrange to have that photocopied in an appropriate form and it can be tabled.