Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:00): I thank Senator Ruston for her question on Medicare, one of Australia's great achievements as a nation and, importantly for us on this side of the chamber, one of the great Labor achievements for our country. That is why Labor built Medicare, and that is why the Albanese Labor government has gone about strengthening Medicare. We have made the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago, an $8½ billion package to deliver more bulk-billing and more doctors so that Australians can see a doctor for free. Australian patients and families will save hundreds of dollars a year. The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston, a point of order? Senator Ruston: My question was very specific. The Prime Minister made a promise that the only thing that you would need when you went to the doctor would be your Medicare card. Could you direct the leader to be specific to that, because it appears as if the Prime Minister is misleading Australians. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Ruston. The minister is— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Just a moment, Senator Wong. Senator Ruston interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Ruston, withdraw that comment. Senator Ruston: I withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Thank you. Senator Watt interjecting— Senator Cash: I heard that! The PRESIDENT: Senator Watt, withdraw. Senator Watt: I withdraw. Senator Gallagher: He was saying it about me. The PRESIDENT: I beg your pardon. Well, that doesn't make it okay; it is still worthy of a withdrawal. Back to the point of order: the minister is being relevant, and I will continue to listen to her response. Senator WONG: Perhaps I should explain to Senator Ruston that actually that's what bulk-billing is about. It's about making sure that we do everything we can as a government to ensure that Australians can see a doctor for free, and the way you deliver that as a government is through bulk-billing, and that is why it does matter that we on this side of the chamber have made the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation. That is why it does matter that we on this side of the chamber have expanded bulk-billing incentives to all Australians and created an additional new incentive payment for practices that bulk-bill every patient. This will mean that nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed by 2030. So, yes, Senator, that does all matter. The PRESIDENT: Are you rising on a point of order, Senator Ruston? Senator Ruston: Yes, on relevance. My question was very specific. The Prime Minister made a statement— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston, there is no need to repeat the question. Senator Ruston: No, I wasn't, actually— The PRESIDENT: The minister has gone directly to— Senator Ruston: Could I finish my point of order? The PRESIDENT: Not by repeating the question. Senator Ruston: No, I wasn't going to repeat what I'd asked. I asked a very specific question about a comment by the Prime Minister and I'm seeking to have the leader respond as to whether that is actually correct and whether she stands by the comments of the Prime Minister. Are they correct? The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Ruston. The minister has gone to your question directly. Minister, please continue. Senator WONG: I always stand by the comments of the Prime Minister—unlike some of those opposite, who appear never to stand by the commitments of their leader. Yesterday we had the amazing example of the coalition running out of the chamber so they didn't have to vote differently on the net zero motion. The whip and the frontbencher disappeared. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator WONG: I know it's embarrassing. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: I invite you, Senator Ruston, to ask your first supplementary.