Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Prime Minister) (14:27): The short answer is yes and yes. We were advised in the lead-up to the budget that, as a result of the decision by the government to charge a modest co-payment or to seek to have a modest co-payment for visits to the GP and visits to the diagnostician, there could be a one per cent reduction in the total usage of these services. At the moment, there are well over 100 million GP visits a year, and about a one per cent reduction to these services was the estimate we were given. Ms Macklin interjecting— Ms Butler interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for Jagajaga will desist. The member for Griffith will desist. Mr ABBOTT: But this line of questioning is not new. The last time a modest co-payment was imposed, a Prime Minister was asked about the consequences for patients. Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order on direct relevance. The question goes to whether or not people will be diagnosed with sicknesses like cancer. The SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. The Prime Minister has the call. Mr ABBOTT: As the Manager of Opposition Business should know, I have said that we have been advised by the department that there will be about a one per cent reduction in the use of services. Ms Macklin: You don't care. The SPEAKER: The member for Jagajaga is warned. Mr Perrett interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for Moreton will also desist. Mr ABBOTT: A previous Prime Minister who imposed a co-payment—someone who should be well known and well loved to members opposite—was asked about the impact on cancer patients of the co-payment. He said: Is anyone seriously suggesting that, in the circumstance you're talking about, where there is the possibility of breast cancer, that is going to stop them going to the doctor? I mean, that is emotionalism being played at the lowest level. Let me repeat the words of Bob Hawke in response to questions of the type members opposite are now asking: … that is emotionalism being played at the lowest level. Bob Hawke was a leader. Bob Hawke was a reformer. Bob Hawke was a great Prime Minister. Mr Perrett interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for Moreton is warned! Mr ABBOTT: I am not without respect for the Leader of the Opposition and I am not without gratitude to the Leader of the Opposition for his statesmanship and bipartisanship on matters of national security. But when it comes to economic security he really should lift his game.