Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. The front page of today's West Australian newspaper reveals that the government has a radical plan to privatise Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will not use props in questions.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will the Prime Minister categorically rule out privatising Medicare or the PBS? Yes or no?

Government members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my right! The Leader of the House and the Treasurer! Before I call the Prime Minister, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the use of props in question time is not within the standing orders, even if he receives encouragement from the other side.

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

I was concerned about the apparent disconnection between the prop and the Leader of the Opposition's question because he was holding up a copy of The West Australian which appeared to include a story about Colin Barnett and a stadium—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition!

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

which I am sure is very interesting but probably not one that I can express an opinion on. Let me just reassure the Leader of the Opposition that the government is, as always, totally committed to Medicare. What we are looking at, as we look at in every area, is improving the delivery of government services, looking at ways to take the health and aged-care payment system into the 21st century. This is about making it simpler and faster for patients to be able to transact with Medicare to get the services they are entitled to. A responsible government—

Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No-one believes you!

Ms Rishworth interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Greenway and the member for Kingston will cease interjecting.

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

A responsible government, a 21st century government, looks always at innovative ways to improve every element of the government services and to make sure they keep pace with the technologies of today. Every day, all Australians—or most Australians; I am sure all honourable members here—are using their smart phones to transact business online, and yet Medicare has still not kept pace with that, and that is a vital part of the progress and that is what the minister has been examining. That is why the Department of Health is investigating ways, as the minister said today, to digitise its transaction technology for payments to what it describes as a more consumer-friendly format—a modern, contemporary format.

The opposition claim to share our passion for innovation. They claim to be a 21st-century party, but yet, every step of the way, they are obstacles to progress.

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The members for Franklin and Ballarat!

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

They will not support the government in our reforms which will enable us to have the means to secure and protect the jobs of young Australians—our children and our grandchildren—in the 21st century. We are for progress.

Mr Husic interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Chifley!

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

We are for improving the experience of patients, of consumers, of citizens, and the opposition, as usual, is standing in the way.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call the member for Murray, I ask members who have been asked to cease interjecting and who have been warned to reflect on my earlier statements. They still apply. The member for Moreton was interjecting through that answer. He was warned multiple times yesterday and, in fact, ejected. The member for Franklin will also cease interjecting.