MEDICAR

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (15:17): My question is again to the Minister for Health. Are the proceeds received from Medicare through the use of doctors' Medicare provider numbers to claim for patients presenting at state-run hospitals paid to the doctors or to trust funds? What amounts are paid to the trust funds, who controls the funds and what are the funds used for?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: A point of order, Madam Speaker. That is the third question from the member for Waite that presumes a positive answer to his question before he's had it.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: It's a fair question.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: If that is the case then he needs to explain that it is the case, not ask the question and then answer it himself.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The first half of the question was in order but the second half was very dubious. Member for Waite, you have been here for 15 years now; you should understand that. Minister, do you wish to answer the question?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts) (15:18): As I said to the member before, these are very complex issues which involve a whole range of processes. I will get a definitive answer for him and I will bring it back written down so he can read through it.