Senator ABETZ (Tasmania—Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Minister for Employment) (14:01): I recall somebody in this chamber saying that the emissions trading scheme and the carbon tax was the greatest moral challenge of our time, and then we saw them dump it. Senator Wong hardly comes with any credibility to this debate. Governments do from time to time change their position— Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order on direct relevance to the question asked by Senator Wong. We have not got near an answer—we have heard about previous governments. The PRESIDENT: The minister has more than half of his time left to answer the question. I remind the minister of the question. Senator ABETZ: In relation to Medicare, we make no apology for saying that we are concerned about its sustainability, especially in circumstances where spending on Medicare has more than doubled in the last decade, from $8 billion in 2004 to $20 billion today, and it is expected to climb even higher, to $34 billion, by 2024. That is the trajectory and any responsible government would seek to deal— Senator Moore: Mr President, I again raise a point of order on direct relevance. The question was about the Prime Minister's claim about the GP tax. We have not got close to that, and there are six seconds left. The PRESIDENT: I remind the minister that he has six seconds left in which to answer the question. Senator ABETZ: All these statements were made in the context of having a sustainable Medicare, and that is what we are working towards. (Time expired)