Senator NASH (New South Wales—Deputy Leader of The Nationals in the Senate and Assistant Minister for Health) (14:47): I can say at the outset that people in regional areas know that it is the National Party and the Liberal Party who are sticking up for them and doing the right thing by them, particularly when it comes to fixing the economy, rather than those on the other side. We have been very clear on this side of the chamber that the best thing that we can do for regional Australia is to fix the economic mess that the previous Labor government left us. It is about time that those opposite took some responsibility for the mess that they have left us. If we were not paying $1 billion a month on the interest on the debt that the previous Labor government left us, we could actually do more for regional Australia. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Order on my right and on my left! Senator Sterle interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order ,Senator Sterle. Senator Moore on a point of order? Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order on direct relevance. It may even be to get somewhere near the health portfolio in the answer, but it is particularly about Medicare rebates and the difference between the policy and the budget papers, which say the rebate has been reduced by $5. The PRESIDENT: The minister was asked about consistency relating to the budget papers. The minister has one minute and seven seconds left to answer the question. Minister, you have the call. Senator NASH: If those opposite paid a little more attention, they would realise that that is National Party policy. We then go on to form coalition policy for the election campaign and that immediately addresses the issue. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left. Senator NASH: There is no way that those opposite can do anything— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Order! Order on my right. Senator Kim Carr: Disposable policy! The PRESIDENT: Senator Carr! Senator Ludlam interjecting— The PRESIDENT: And Senator Ludwig! Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my right! Senator Fifield interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Fifield!. Senator Ronaldson interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ronaldson! Minister, you have the call. Senator NASH: In response to the comment from those opposite about not being relevant: we are being absolutely relevant, because the health budget is one of the biggest drains on the nation's finances which those opposite may fail to take into account. There is absolutely a commitment from this side of the chamber to regional Australia, unlike those opposite. The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Moore on a point of order? Senator Moore: Mr President, I am one of those opposite and I am making a point of order on direct relevance. The question specifically relates to Medicare rebates. If we could actually do that. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Moore. Again, the question did ask about consistencies in comparing the budget. Senator Nash has been answering the question and for the parts that I can hear— Senator Kim Carr interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Carr! Minister, you have 16 seconds left to answer the question. Senator NASH: It is this government that is going to address the fact that the best things that we can do for regional Australia is address the economic mess that you left us.