The Federal Government has announced plans to sell its health insurer Medibank Private, probably later this year.
Medibank Private is Australia's biggest health fund, controlling 30% of the private health-insurance market.
The Finance Minister, Nick Minchin, and the Health Minister, Tony Abbott, announced the move at a joint news conference.
Mr Minchin says free market competition between funds is the best way to limit premium increases.
"This is the right time to move on this business. It has now been turned around. It is ready for sale. And in the context of the changes that Tony's announced, it is time that the government exited this industry as one of the owners of a business in it and concentrated purely on its role as a regulator."