Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Prime Minister) (14:21): I said that there would be no cuts to health, and health spending goes up every year. I think members opposite might have some problems finding any statement by me in the election campaign to the effect that there would never be a co-payment, because co-payments are part of our health system. Thanks to members opposite, co-payments are a part of our system. Bob Hawke was the father of the Medicare co-payment, the shadow Assistant Treasurer was the brother of the co-payment and the member for Jagajaga there was perhaps the stepgodmother of the co-payment. She certainly authored the report that led to it. The SPEAKER: The Prime Minister will resume his seat. Dr Leigh: Madam Speaker, it is like being flayed by a warm lettuce— The SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. Mr ABBOTT: I will make three points in conclusion. First, Medicare must be sustainable. A decade ago it was costing $8 billion, now it is costing $20 billion, a decade hence, and without appropriate action it will cost us $34 billion. This great Medicare system must be made sustainable and it will be by this government. Second, price signals in the system are not bad policy, they are good policy because they help to make people appreciate, as they do with the PBS, what they are getting largely courtesy of the taxpayer. Third, we want to see our world-class health and medical researchers properly funded and that is exactly why we are creating a world leading Medical Research Future Fund. We are absolutely up-front about the need to make Medicare sustainable. Only this government is in the business of making Medicare sustainable. The members opposite are in the business of making endless promises that this country simply cannot afford.