Dr HAINES (Indi) (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government. On almost every measure, country Australians have poorer health than our city cousins. We're twice as likely to get diabetes and cancer. In Benalla we have double the rate of mental illness, yet we have less access to health care. We are more likely to pay out of pocket. Doctor-patient ratios are twice as high. In Wangaratta the bulk-billing rate is just 69 per cent, seven points below the national average. Will the minister update the House of his plans for developing a new rural health strategy that commits to a timetable for closing these gaps in health care and health outcomes for regional Australians?