Gruntfuttock
I clearly do, as I have recently had surgery here. Yes I understand you can get surgery "nearly free" in the public system. But top surgeons here don't work in both systems, they work in one or the other. If you want your choice of surgeon there is no option but to pay. I was having shoulder surgery, the outcome of which will impact my ability to participate in sport and be pain free for the rest of my life. I wanted my surgeon to be none less than a highly experienced shoulder surgeon with a good reputation. If you use the public system you get whoever's on duty at the time if your surgery. They may or may not be a specialist in your condition.
I have no issues at all using the public system for minor conditions, but for major conditions, I want choices, that medical insurance gives me which I couldn't afford to pay for myself.