Senator NASH (New South Wales—Deputy Leader of The Nationals in the Senate and Assistant Minister for Health) (14:12): I thank the senator for her question and her very sincere interest, particularly in the area of regional health. The Australian government is establishing a $20 billion future fund for medical research. The Medical Research Future Fund will be the single largest investment in medical research ever made in Australia and one of the biggest medical endowment funds in the world. The fund will be established on 1 January 2015. The capital-protected Medical Research Future Fund will reinvest all the savings in a fiscally responsible— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Nash, resume your seat. Order, on both sides! The interjections across the chamber do not assist hearing the minister give the answer. It is disorderly. Senator NASH: The capital-protected Medical Research Future Fund will reinvest all of the savings from the fiscally responsible changes to the health budget until the fund reaches $20 billion, which is expected by 2020. The fund will be managed by the Future Fund Board of Guardians, which have a proven track record in managing an investment portfolio on behalf of the government and maximising returns over the long term. The Medical Research Future Fund— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Nash, resume your seat. Order, on both sides! Debating this, if you wish, is after question time! Senator NASH: The Medical Research Future Fund will enable vital medical research that may lead to the discovery of new medicines and technologies which would be used for prevention, treatment and cure. Medical research has a key role in making our health system sustainable for decades to come. This government is committed to investing in innovation, infrastructure and programs which have long-term economic benefits that come from new medicines and technologies. This government is committed to long-term policies— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Nash, resume your seat. The debate across the chamber is for post question time not during question time. The minister is entitled to be heard in silence from both sides. When there is silence we will proceed. Senator NASH: The government is committed to long-term policies that strengthen our health system—unlike the previous Labor government, who tried to cut medical research by $400 million in 2011. This government is building a strong and prosperous economy and a sustainable health system. We are building a health system for future generations.