Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The examination of a more efficient way of transacting with citizens and patient-consumers is obviously a high priority for this government. It should be a high priority for any government. We are in 2016. This is the 21st century. People are transacting with their banks and e-commerce—eBay, Amazon and so forth. They are doing all that on their phones. They should be able to deal with Medicare like that as well.

This move into the digital world is hardly a secret. It was actually announced in the 2014-15 budget. So obviously the Leader of the Opposition thinks it was hiding in plain sight. There was an expression of interest called for in August 2014. The current request for quotations is all part of a carefully considered approach. Any outsourcing would apply only to back-office operations and the administrative actions—

Ms King interjecting—

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