Speakers: Senator The Hon Anne Ruston, Mr Blair Comley

Transcript

Senator The Hon Anne Ruston

Thank you. Good morning, everyone. So can I just go to a question on notice? It's a question on notice for 26 or 275. And um in that question I requested that the government provide bulk billing rates for GP services by electorate for the year 25-26. And in response to that, at the time, which was pre-August, you said that bulk billing rates for financial years 25-26 will be released in mid-August 2026 on your website. When you released that data, it didn't have the breakdown by electorate.

Mr Blair Comley

Chair, can I throw you, Chair, can I just ask is this best dealt within out in cross-portfolio or an outcome two, which is individual benefits where we cover off on bulk billing rates in the individual benefits?

Senator The Hon Anne Ruston

Well, just questioning the response to a question. Whilst I would like the specific detail, is I asked a question, you answered a question, but then you didn't actually do what you said you were going to do, and that is provide me with the data that I ask for.

Mr Blair Comley

Yeah.

Senator The Hon Anne Ruston

I mean is that is that a usual way to respond to a question?

Mr Blair Comley

Well, I suppose the only thing I'm saying, Senator, is that the officials who are best placed to answer that question will be an outcome two. So I would I'm sure that someone will be watching, and um if we can get an answer before that we will, but otherwise I'd suggest we take it in outcome two, and we'll come ready and prepared to answer why that if and what has been happening with that publication.