Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Prime Minister) (14:44): As the Minister for Health has just indicated, we have been engaged in a process of consultation over many months, starting under the former minister and continuing under the present minister. What is absolutely obvious is that we would not keep the broad backing of the medical profession for the health reform process if we attempted to cut the GPs rebate and replaced the cut with a co-payment. It was absolutely obvious after a period of consultation that that was the case. Madam Speaker, do you know what sensible governments do? Sensible governments respond intelligently to what they get from the community, and this is what we have heard from the community. What are members opposite suggesting? That we should not have changed? That we should not have consulted? That we should not have done this? Is that what you are suggesting? Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER: There will be silence on my left! Mr ABBOTT: Really, Madam Speaker. The difference between members opposite and this government is that this government is determined to do the right thing by the people of Australia. This government is determined to give the people of Australia the best possible Medicare system, but we are going to do it in the closest possible harmony with the medical profession and the other great health professions of this country. That is exactly what the people of Australia expect. What they do not expect is what they are getting from members opposite, which is just jeering, sneering and smearing. They just can't help themselves— Mr Perrett interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for Moreton! Mr ABBOTT: They are wreckers in opposition. Despite all of that from the opposition, we are doing the job that the people elected us to do. We are improving the great institutions of our country. We are doing what is necessary to make our great Medicare system even better in the future than it is now. We are doing it in the closest possible harmony with the medical profession.