Senator NASH (New South Wales—Deputy Leader of The Nationals in the Senate and Assistant Minister for Health) (14:01): I am aware of the Sydney university research. I am also very well aware that the previous Labor government left us a budget mess, which we are addressing. There have been a range of views expressed relating to the budget since that time. But what is very important for the Senate to note is the very fact that we are having to take tough decisions is because of the previous government's economic mismanagement and the budget mess that they left us. We had an MBS 10 years ago that was costing this nation $8 billion. It is now costing around $19 billion and is projected to cost around $34 billion over the next decade. This government has had to make some tough decisions. There has been a range of commentary about that. Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order, which is particularly on direct relevance. The minister has been asked specifically about whether she thinks that the figures quoted in the question are correct. It is not whether she is aware of the University of Sydney process. It is about the specific figures about the cost of two parents and two children and the impact of the GP tax. I would ask you to draw the attention of the minister to the question. The PRESIDENT: The minister has got nearly a minute left answer the question. The minister is being relevant. Senator NASH: I indicated that I am aware of the view. I am aware of a range of views when it comes to the budget measures that this government has put in place. For over 50 years, successive governments have recognised the need for a co-payment when it comes to the PBS. We have had something like an 80 per cent blow-out over the last decade in the PBS. The question relates the PBS. The reason we have made— Senator Moore: Mr President, I again rise on a point of order on direct relevance. The question is specifically about the figures in the question and about whether they are correct. That is the question. The PRESIDENT: The question was broader than just the indication of figures. Senator Nash is being relevant. Senator NASH: As I was indicating to the chamber, over successive governments for nearly 50 years there has been an acknowledgement that there needed to be a co-payment when it comes to the PBS, to ensure that it is sustainable. This government will ensure that we have a sustainable health system into the future. The budget is going to relate to ensuring that happens.