Sue Boyce (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I must admit that I am a little surprised to hear that the Health and Ageing portfolio was not asked for input into whether Medibank Private would become a for-profit body or not. I hope Senator Ludwig can help me with my supplementary question. What has changed, then, Minister, since 2006, when the now Deputy Prime Minister stated in relation to a for-profit Medibank Private ‘it stands to reason that if you have to generate a profit then that places an additional burden on premiums’ a statement and a sentiment which was echoed by Minister Ludwig, then Senator Ludwig, in this chamber? Does the minister still have those same concerns about premium increases caused by a for-profit Medibank that he stated in this chamber in 2006?