Senator NASH (New South Wales—Deputy Leader of The Nationals in the Senate and Assistant Minister for Health) (14:16): I thank the senator for her question. Yes, I am aware of that, and the Minister for Health is also well aware of that. She is highly conscious of the need for funding certainty and is committed to working with the sector to make sure we have that front-line service delivery that we need. That is a matter for the consideration of the minister and I know she is hoping to conclude that deliberation in the very near future. When it comes to mental health provision in rural and regional areas—and I know this is an area of concern for those on both sides of the chamber—there are a number of programs that the coalition government is already implementing to ensure we get the outcomes we want on the ground. We need only look at mental health services in rural and remote areas. We have got $16.7 million going out to around 200 communities across rural and regional areas that otherwise would not get services. Under the National Suicide Prevention Program we have $9.2 million— Senator Wright: Mr President, on a point of order: I specifically asked the assistant minister whether the Minister for Health has been briefed on the number of people who no longer have access to mental health services as a result of the funding uncertainty. It was a specific question and I would appreciate a specific response. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wright, you did ask that question and the minister said up-front that she and the minister are aware of it. I take that to be a direct answer to your question. The minister is in order. Senator NASH: As I was saying in relation to the National Suicide Prevention Program, there is $9.2 million going to 23 projects predominantly in rural and regional areas to address what is a very important issue for people not just in rural and regional areas but right across the country. The coalition is well aware of that and currently has programs in place to address that. We will be working through the issues the senator has raised.