SENATOR FORSHAW - 26 June 2001

“BUSINESS ESSENTIALS” AUDIOTAPE PROGRAM FUNDING

Senator FORSHAW - My question is directed to Senator Vanstone, representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care. How much was paid by each of Mayne Health and Minister Wooldridge's department to jointly fund the tape of Dr Wooldridge being interviewed by Michael Shildberger about the 2001 budget which has been mailed to every doctor in Australia? Minister, why should the department be required to pay for both Dr Wooldridge's membership of the AMA and distributing his taped attacks on the same organisation?

Senator FORSHAW - I ask a supplementary question. I remind the Minister that the question I asked was: how much was paid by each of Mayne Health, a private health company, and the Department? You have not answered that Minister. Maybe you could have a go at it in your answer to the supplementary question or take it on notice. Also, hasn't this deal between Mayne Health and the Department of Health to fund the distribution of Dr Wooldridge's attacks on the AMA got more to do with commercial and political interests than it has to do with the public interest?

Senator VANSTONE - The Minister for Health and Aged Care has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The Department's sponsorship of the Business Essentials audiotape programs commenced in June 1999 and was renewed in August 2000.

The sponsorship is for a series of audiotape programs on which the Department is entitled to three segments to convey the Government's general health policy and progress on general practice incentives.

The contract has, from the outset, allowed Business Essentials to seek up to four additional sponsors for the program. These sponsors are entitled to have their logo on the sleeve of the audiotape.

The Department is not aware of the financial contributions of other sponsors. The commercial arrangements between these sponsors and Business Essentials do not involve the Department.

Annual sponsorship for the Department has remained at $300,000 since 1999 plus a GST component since 2000.