Emma McBride's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
I rise today to extend the heartfelt condolences of my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales to all of those impacted by the horrific Bondi Beach terrorist attack. On the first night...
I rise today to extend the heartfelt condolences of my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales to all of those impacted by the horrific Bondi Beach terrorist attack. On the first night of Hanukkah, on what should have been an evening of peace, celebration and joy for the Jewish community, unimaginable violence took place. Fifteen innocent people were killed, and more than 40 others were injured. It was an antisemitic attack, deliberately targeting Jewish Australians. Today, we honour each of the 15 lives lost. Fifteen innocent people were taken from their families, from their communities. We honour the bravery of those who ran towards danger—people like Boris and Sofia Gurman, who confronted a gunman and were killed while trying to protect others. We recognise the NSW Police officers who risked their lives, including those who suffered critical injuries running towards danger to protect others. And we acknowledge other first responders, some of whom are here today and whom I had the chance to meet, including paramedics, mental health workers, surf lifesavers and lifeguards who supported people in the immediate aftermath of the violence and in the days and weeks that have followed. We stand with the families that now face grief no-one should ever have to bear. We stand with survivors healing physically and emotionally, and we stand with Australia's Jewish community, whose sense of safety was profoundly shaken that night—who came to Australia as a safe place, a place of refuge, a place that is their home. We know the deep impact an event like this has on communities, which is why our government has responded with comprehensive mental health support in partnership with the New South Wales government, and I acknowledge the efforts of Minister Rose Jackson. This includes dedicated resources to support the Jewish community, the broader Bondi community, first responders, children and young people. It includes focused mental health supports for the Jewish community through organisations with established links to the communities nationally, such as Jewish Care and Jewish House. On behalf of the government, I thank them for the work that they have done already and will continue to do for mental health. We've boosted funding for crisis lines—Lifeline, Beyond Blue, eheadspace, Kids Helpline and 13YARN—to uplift their capacity to meet the growing demand in the wake of this tragedy. And to support first responders, including lifeguards, surf lifesavers and other community members who supported people in this attack, we've delivered funding to the Black Dog Institute's National Emergency Worker Support Service. The service provides online mental health assessment and free psychological sessions at the Black Dog Institute's depression clinic or the University of New South Wales's Traumatic Stress Clinic. We're also rapidly establishing a pop-up Medicare mental health centre in Bondi, offering free, walk-in mental health support and care with a specific focus on trauma support, to be opened in the coming weeks. To particularly support young Australians so deeply affected by this attack, we've provided additional funding for headspace, so it can support young people locally and deliver education sessions to schools, staff, students, parents and carers in communities and schools right across the country, including through eheadspace. Recently, I had the honour of joining Her Excellency the Governor-General at headspace Bondi Junction, where we met with staff and heard from them—staff that have been tirelessly supporting young people impacted by the terror attack. On behalf of the parliament, I had the opportunity to thank them that day for the work they're doing supporting young people in their community. I'd like to take the opportunity today in the parliament to again thank them for the work that they have so generously provided—the care, the support, the compassion, the humanity—since 14 December and for the work that they will be providing in the weeks, months and years to come. We will not forget the 15 innocent lives that were taken. What we saw on Bondi Beach that night isn't who we are as Australians. I say to the Jewish community in Sydney, in my home on the Central Coast of New South Wales and across Australia: we will always stand with you. I thank the House.
Women's Health, Vera's Water Garden, Medicare | Constituency Statements | House debates
I am proud to have secured an endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic for the Central Coast. The clinic will be located within the Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre in Wyoming and is due...
I am proud to have secured an endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic for the Central Coast. The clinic will be located within the Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre in Wyoming and is due to open early in the new year. It will provide multidisciplinary care for endometriosis and pelvic pain as well as support for women like me seeking support for perimenopause and menopause. Endometriosis affects at least one in seven Australian women and can have a devastating impact on their daily lives, with pelvic pain being similarly debilitating. The Albanese government is rolling out 33 clinics across Australia—a key part of the government's landmark women's health package—investing almost $800 million in funding to deliver improved health care and access for women and girls. Through the Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre, local women and girls will have a place where they can access the specialist care they need close to home. Sara Foster, CEO of the Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre, said: This investment builds on the strong foundation of care our team already provides and enables us to offer even more responsive, multidisciplinary, women-centred health services for women on the Coast to experience disadvantage or barriers to care. Summer on the coast just got even better with the reopening of Vera's Water Garden. I was proud to deliver $750,000 for this project as part of a more than $1 million revitalisation package for The Entrance. This funding has provided new water-play equipment and a zero-depth splash design. I'm delighted that the Central Coast Council listen to feedback from right across the community, including myself, and kept Vera. After all, there isn't a Vera's Water Garden without our much loved Vera. Vera has been watching over The Entrance foreshore for nearly 30 years and, with this investment and the strong community campaign to protect Vera, she'll be around for many more. I've heard from locals right across the Central Coast who have visited the Lake Haven Medicare Urgent Care Clinic—at its convenient location at the Lake Haven Shopping Centre—because it offers fully bulk-billed care over extended hours seven days a week. In fact, since opening in 2023, 27,000 locals have visited the clinic—locals like Marion from Warnervale, who said: After experiencing a deep cut on my hand, I sought treatment at the Urgent Care Clinic at Lake Haven. From reception through to treatment, the care I received was brilliant. I am grateful to have had access to professional and expedient care so close to home. That's why, at the election, as part of our plan to strengthen Medicare, I was proud to commit to expanding the clinic to meet growing need. Now we're delivering on that commitment with funding to grow the workforce, extend opening hours and remodel the treatment spaces. We're also opening a third Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the coming months to deliver care closer to home for people right across the Central Coast.
Mental Health Month; Reference to Federation Chamber | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
I move: That further statements on mental health month be permitted in the Federation Chamber. Question agreed to.
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
Public Works Joint Committee; Membership | Committees | House debates
by leave—I move: That Mr Burns be discharged from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and that, in his place, Ms Lawrence be appointed a member of the committee. Question...
by leave—I move: That Mr Burns be discharged from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and that, in his place, Ms Lawrence be appointed a member of the committee. Question agreed to.
Dobell Electorate: Grants | Constituency Statements | House debates
I am proud to have supported local community groups and their volunteers through grants for improved infrastructure, new equipment and boosted funding. In total, more than $1.2 million has been...
I am proud to have supported local community groups and their volunteers through grants for improved infrastructure, new equipment and boosted funding. In total, more than $1.2 million has been provided to local community organisations in my community of Dobell through the Stronger Communities Program and more than $500,000 has been provided through the Volunteer Grants program. This year alone I was proud to secure almost $129,000 for 12 different community groups through the Stronger Communities grants and almost $65,000 for 17 local organisations through the Volunteer Grants. These grants support the vital work of volunteers like the Wamberal Rural Fire Brigade. I had the pleasure of sharing the news with Tracy McDermott that they had been successful in receiving a grant of over $220,000 for new radio equipment. Tracy told me that this funding will mean every firefighter will have a radio when attending a job, which is vital to information sharing and community safety. Tracy said to me: This now means every fire fighter has a fire ground radio when they're on shift. ALL volunteers on shift are now hearing ALL safety alerts, changes in weather and fire ground alerts. The remaining funding is to go toward purchasing additional batteries for the radios. Now we can change the batteries during the shift so there is continued safety on the job. I also spoke to Julie from Marine Rescue Norah Head and shared with her that they had been successful in receiving a grant of $480,000 for the latest technology, including radios. Julie said to me: This funding is vital to ensure our volunteers remain up to date with both technology and training. It is essential that we keep up to date with the latest positioning instruments used in emergencies, as well as the constantly evolving software that supports our operations. Ongoing training is critical to ensure volunteers can use this new technology effectively. Our volunteers dedicate significant time and effort to this work, and we operate every day, managing Norah Head, Tuggerah Lakes and Terrigal throughout the week. I am also proud to support We Care Connect with a $15,000 grant to install fans and cooling equipment in their hub, which is staffed by hundreds of local volunteers who generously have supported over 30,000 children and families on the coast and across the Hunter with essential items. That's as well as supporting a brilliant team at Toukley 50 Plus, whose motto is you can teach an old dog new tricks. It's a local not-for-profit who received a $4,750 grant for a new sound system. I was glad to visit them a few weeks back, where I spoke with Pamela and their volunteer board. I'd also like to extend my thanks to the local selection panel, made up of Scott Goold, a regional director of Business in NSW; local councillor Margot Castles; and Wyong High School students Layla and Emma, for their contribution.
National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
Today, as we debate in this place the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025, I think it's important to remember how what we now know as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or...
Today, as we debate in this place the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025, I think it's important to remember how what we now know as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or the PBS, came to be. It didn't fall from the sky. It was the vision of the Curtin Labor government to provide free prescription medicines to all Australians following the postwar availability of new antibiotic drugs. But it faced significant hurdles, including from those opposite, from a High Court challenge to the opposition of conservative political parties and doctors of the day who viewed the PBS as what they called 'the first step towards nationalising medicine'. The PBS was originally struck down by the High Court, with a constitutional amendment in 1946 paving the way for the scheme's introduction. Nowadays, every Australian can rely on the PBS to get the medication they need affordably and when they need it. As a pharmacist, a local MP and an assistant health minister, I am incredibly proud of our government for helping to make medicines more affordable for millions of Australians. From my first speech in this place, I have advocated for cheaper medicines. Back in 2016, I said: As a pharmacist, too often I saw patients … forced to make decisions that no-one should have to make about skipping medications … because they simply could not afford to pay. I worked at a TerryWhite pharmacy in Tuggerah. Parents would come in with a shopping load full of groceries and antibiotic prescriptions. I remember parents saying to me, 'Can I get one antibiotic mixture made up to share between my two children?' They were different antibiotics, and that wasn't appropriate, but that was what was happening because of the underinvestment of the previous government in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Patients were forced to skip, delay or avoid filling prescriptions. Young people, families and older people must be able to continue to access the best health care—rather than simply what they can afford to pay—through universal health care in the form of Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Since coming to office, it's been our Albanese Labor government that has been working to deliver cheaper medicines, because that's what Labor governments do, and that's what Australians deserve. This bill will reduce the PBS general co-payment from $31.60 to $25 from 1 January next year. As a pharmacist working in community pharmacy, I remember the indexation linked to CPI that would happen every year. This now won't happen. This is delivering on the Albanese Labor government's 2025 election commitment. A lot of the former speakers have reflected on the fact that they were in primary school in 2004 when the PBS scripts last cost $25. For me, the last time PBS medicines cost no more than $25, I was working in community pharmacy. I was working as a locum between two community pharmacies on the Central Coast—at Noraville pharmacy and also at the Blooms pharmacy in Wyong. This was more than 20 years ago and it is the last time that general PBS medicines cost $25. As Minister Butler often says, this is good not just for your health but for your hip pocket. This is a tangible difference that the Albanese Labor government is making. It will provide cost-of-living relief. Having already slashed the cost of medicines in 2023 with the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, we're now going even further, providing even more cost-of-living relief for millions of Australians. This is a more than 20 per cent cut in the maximum cost of PBS medicines, which will save Australians over $200 million each year. This is a saving of $200 million each year for Australians accessing vital medicines. Importantly, pensioners and concession card holders will continue to benefit from the freeze to the cost of their PBS medicines, which has been frozen at $7.70 until 2030—as the Prime Minister said earlier today, until the end of the decade. This will keep older people who rely on multiple medications well within our communities and give them peace of mind about the cost of medications. This builds on action we've already taken to deliver cost-of-living relief through cheaper medicines, including more free and cheaper medicines sooner, with a 25 per cent reduction in the number of scripts concession patients must fill before the PBS safety net kicks in. When I was working in community pharmacy, people still had the PBS cards that they would stick their PBS stickers onto, and I remember the relief when you would say to somebody, 'You've now reached the safety net,' and issue them their safety net card, which meant that, for a concession card holder, they would then receive their medications for free until the end of that year—until Christmas. That made such a big difference, particularly to pensioners. Knowing that they are now reaching the safety net sooner is making a really big difference to people and families. As I mentioned earlier, it will be the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, with the maximum cost of a general script being cut by $12.50 from 1 January next year. It was estimated that, by this time, if our government hadn't slashed the cost of medicines and now had this next cut, the cost of medicines would probably be around $50 for a PBS prescription. It'll now be $25 from 1 January next year. We've also frozen the cost of PBS medicines, with co-payments not rising with inflation for all Australians for the first time in 25 years. That could often be an uncomfortable conversation for pharmacists to have with patients or families at the beginning of each year when medications that they relied on increased in cost. This gives so many patients peace of mind. Just last week I was with Ryan, one of the new owners, in partnership with Jess, at Direct Chemist Outlet in the Central Highlands in Emerald—and Jess, the partner in that business, is actually in the building, in parliament, today—and I met their final-year students, Emma, Meg and Gemma. Ryan, as a relatively new pharmacist/owner, asked me: 'How can I help spread the word? I know just the difference this will make to people and families in my community, and I want to help you spread the word so people know about this sooner.' Last month, I was at Cincotta Discount Chemist in Macquarie Fields with the new member for Hughes, my colleague and friend David Moncrieff, and we were talking to the pharmacist/owner Sam. They were undergoing a big refit of their pharmacy, but he was really generous with his time. He let us know the difference that the cut to the cost of PBS prescriptions had made already and the difference that it would make in the future. We met with the nurse who worked within his pharmacy, and she spoke to us about the difference that, over 20 years, her work has made within that pharmacy. But Sam was also saying to us that, because of the greater investment that our government has made in the PBS, he's not charging patients for the packing of dose administration aids—which people often know as Webster-paks—because that additional cost can sometimes put them out of reach of people. So he proudly displays a sign at the dispensary in his pharmacy that says 'Free Webster-paks'. He offers those Webster-paks to people living in their own homes, because older people are often taking multiple medications, which we often call polypharmacy. So being able to have their medications packed for them, so they know that they are taking the right medicine at the right time, can go a long way towards people being able to stay safely in their own homes and manage their medications better. Sam is thrilled that he'll be able to support more patients when the next cut in the cost of prescriptions comes into effect on 1 January. I know the member for Hughes has said that he will be going back there and hearing from Sam to see just the difference that it's making in his community. I did have the opportunity to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister to my electorate of Dobell, on the New South Wales Central Coast, recently. We went to Kuoch Chemist at The Entrance, and pharmacist/owner Raymond was telling me the different that the cut in the cost of PBS prescriptions had already made to so many people in our community and how he was able to make sure that people were able to access the medicines they needed when they needed them, and fewer people were having to delay or avoid filling prescriptions because of cost. I am just so delighted, as a pharmacist and the only pharmacist in this place, and as a member of a Labor government, to know that we founded the PBS—that it was the vision of the Curtin Labor government to make sure, when antibiotics became available, that everybody could have access to them, so that, after the war, people returning and widows and their children would be able to access medication. And—despite those opposite, and a High Court challenge, and Menzies slashing the number of prescriptions on the PBS—the PBS has survived and is now thriving. It is one of the pillars of universal healthcare in Australia, along with Medicare. Before I conclude, I just want to mention some of the work that we're doing in mental health. I was talking to the member opposite about our shared interest in mental health and suicide prevention. Providing medicines more affordably means that people can access the health care that they need. Also we're rolling out services in communities, to make sure that more people have access to support closer to home when they need it. I know that that is a shared interest of everybody in this House—making sure that all Australians can get the support and care that they need. Today is really a very significant day. It is us now, as a government, enacting our election commitment—the promise that we made to all Australians, wherever they live, that they'll be able to have cheaper medicines. I know the difference that has already made since we cut the cost of prescriptions back in 2023 by $12.50—then the biggest cut to the cost of PBS prescriptions to occur. Now patients, people and families right across the country will know that, from 1 January next year, we will see the biggest reduction in the cost of PBS general prescriptions, with the co-payment going down to $25 per prescription. That is on top, as I've already mentioned, of the fact that we've already had the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, that we've frozen the cost of PBS medicines for pensioners and concession card holders, and that we've introduced 60-day prescribing—saving time and money for millions of Australians with ongoing health conditions. This is the fifth tranche, building on the four other significant changes and improvements that we've made to the cost of medicines and to the PBS. I will be heading to the Pharmacy Connect conference next weekend. I was at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia conference in Sydney only two weeks ago, hearing the relief and optimism pharmacists right around the country feel for their people—particularly their patients and their customers—in knowing that medicines are now more affordable and will continue to become more affordable. It is already making a big difference, and it will make an even bigger difference from 1 January next year. I am very proud to speak on the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025, building on the significant work that we've already done. I look forward to 1 January 2026, when we will see the biggest cut to the cost of PBS prescriptions in the history of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. I want to thank those within the pharmacy sector for their advocacy and for acting in the interests of families right across the country, including the Pharmacy Guild, who are in the building today; the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia; AdPha; and others.
Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I rise to speak on this important legislation, the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025, which gives action to a critical election commitment of our government. I...
I rise to speak on this important legislation, the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025, which gives action to a critical election commitment of our government. I wanted to start with a local person in my community who will be directly affected by this. Her name is Elissa. She's 43 years old. She has a daughter, and she's worked at a major supermarket in my community for 18 years. During that time, she's missed out on being there for her daughter at nights, after school and on the weekend. She needed to work those hours for the extra pay the penalty rates provided. She was not there to help her daughter with homework; she was not there to read to her or to tuck her into bed at night. Her daughter missed out on playing sports and other activities of an afternoon or weekend because her mum simply had to work. It also affected her daughter's wellbeing as her mum was not around for her, because her mum had to work those long hours on the evenings and on the weekend. She said that she often went to work when she was sick because, if she stayed home sick, she would lose her penalty rates. Another worker in my electorate, who is another woman and also a young person, is Emily. She's 27 years old, and she works at a major retail outlet. She said she's currently expecting her first little girl in the midst of moving houses, and on her normal rates it's a struggle to be able to afford the basic necessities. But, with penalty rates, they let her breathe. It gives her room to be able to save a little for her bubba and to help her move to make sure that, as she says, her new little family have a roof over their heads. It also helps in times when the bills pile up and when costs of rent and rego are due, and she said penalty rates help her and other people like her not just financially but with their mental health and wellbeing too. She said people make the sacrifice to work the extra day or extra hours to be able to breathe and relax and to be able to share a dinner with friends and not have to worry about the bills. That's why this legislation is important, that's why we committed to it in the election campaign and that's why we're making sure that it goes through the House now so that workers, as soon as five o'clock tomorrow night, might know that these penalty rates and overtime rates are protected. In simple terms, the bill adds a new section, 135A, to the act to establish a clear principle that, when exercising its powers to make, vary or revoke modern awards, the Fair Work Commission must ensure the specified penalty of overtime rates are not reduced and that modern awards do not include terms that substitute employees' entitlements to receive penalty or overtime rates where those terms would have the effect of reducing the additional remuneration any employee would otherwise receive. The timing is really critical. It's important because this bill will commence the day after it receives royal assent, reflecting our government's election commitment to move quickly to protect penalty and overtime rates for Australia's lowest paid workers, including Emily who's expecting her new baby in my community. It'll make a real difference, a tangible difference. As I've just said, it'll give people the time to breathe, to be able to enjoy their families, to feel supported, to have stability and to know that they're safe. It will make sure award-reliant workers continue to be fairly compensated for working overtime, for working unsocial hours and for working irregular or unpredictable hours, weekends, public holidays or shifts, as so many people do in regional economies around the country that are underpinned by retail, tourism and hospitality, like my region on the Central Coast of New South Wales. The bill preserves the commission's existing powers under section 144 to insert flexibility terms into awards and allow employers and employees to enter into individual flexibility arrangements, including to vary penalty and overtime rates, as long as the existing legislated safeguard of making sure they are, importantly, better off compared to the standard terms is met. It's worth noting the safeguards in the enterprise bargaining framework remain unchanged. Parties will still be able to bargain at the enterprise level to reduce existing penalty rates and overtime rates so long as the commission is satisfied the enterprise agreement meets the better off overall test. This bill strengthens the existing protections by preventing the commission from making or varying award terms where they reduce an overtime rate or penalty rate or substitute an overtime rate or penalty rate where it has the effect of reducing the take-home pay attributable to the overtime rates or penalty rates any employee would otherwise receive. This is so important. It matters to so many people and families in regional communities like mine who, as I just mentioned, are relying on this to be able to meet their bills, to have some time with family and to be able to prepare for their growing family. Importantly, this bill will provide stronger protection than the status quo because the principle is applied over and above the commission's consideration of the modern award objectives, preventing award variations that have the effect of reducing penalty rates and overtime rates. The test applies to the additional remuneration that any employee would otherwise receive, meaning the provision cannot be in a modern award if there is evidence a single employee would be worse off. As the Prime Minister has said so often, no-one will be worse off and no-one will be left behind. People might ask: why is this change needed? It's very evident why this change is needed. It's clear in the household budgets of people and families right across the country. We have seen a sustained effort from certain employers to roll up penalty rates and overtime rates into a single rate of pay, leaving some employees worse off. The Fair Work Commission is right now considering proposals from employers in the retail, clerical and banking sectors to cut the penalty rates of lower-paid workers who rely on modern awards. This bill—and this is why it's been introduced to the House today and why we are moving on it swiftly—will make sure that, in applications like these before the commission at the moment, no worker will see their pay packet reduced. The bill also seeks to protect Australia's low-paid workers from future wage cuts, something that we are all committed to. As I said, there is an urgency. This is something that is a top priority for our government. It's something that we committed to in the election campaign. It's something that we're doing right now in this first sitting fortnight because some employers in the retail, clerical and banking sectors have made applications to the commission to trade away the penalty rates of lower-paid workers and leave some workers worse off. That's why we want to see this legislation passed as soon as possible—so that the commission is able to apply this principle in considering those proposals. Of course, we've already seen the shadow minister come out criticising these laws. We all know the coalition doesn't believe in protecting workers' wages or upholding the award safety net and doesn't really recognise the other benefits of this to people's wellbeing with that certainty, stability and financial security it gives to people and families. I need to be really clear. This legislation is aimed at protecting existing penalty rates and overtime rates. Enterprise bargaining remains a key pathway for employers to achieve flexibility and productivity gains rather than relying on the erosion of the minimum safety net for wages and conditions. The bill introduces a high-level principle, not a prescriptive rule, making it simple, fair and workable. Penalty rates and overtime rates are fundamental entitlements in modern awards that must be preserved. I note in the chamber is my colleague and assistant minister the member for Cooper, who has dedicated so much of her working life to these principles, advocating for them and upholding them. I'm so proud to stand alongside colleagues like the member for Cooper whilst we debate this legislation. As Minister Rishworth has made clear, this bill does not impose any additional costs or red tape and does not force employers to bargain. As I said, enterprise bargaining remains a key pathway for employers to directly negotiate with employees—and their unions, importantly. I want to recognise the HSU, the union that I belong to, that stands up for and advocates for some of the lowest paid workers that do such vital work in our communities and also the SDA and their members for the work that they do in retail and hospitality in communities like mine. In concluding, we were clear back in 2023—when we requested the commission commence a modern award review—as we are now, that those efforts to make the awards easier to use should not be at the expense of workers' entitlements. This legislation importantly builds on our strong track record of achievement in our first term, including advocating to the Fair Work Commission for minimum and award wage rises every single year since we were first elected in 2022; embedding gender equality and job security as new Fair Work Act objects; banning pay-secrecy clauses; criminalising intentional wage theft; stopping the underpayment of workers through the use of labour-hire loopholes; introducing world-leading minimum standards for road-transport workers; and ending the forced permanent-casual loophole, providing a proper pathway to conversion for casuals who want it. I know many people that I worked with as a pharmacist who do such important work in communities and who have been able to benefit from many of these changes. We've given workers a right to clock off, the right to disconnect. It's so important for people's mental health and wellbeing in our digitally connected lives. I commend the bill to the House and look forward the tangible difference it will make—the real meaningful difference it will make—to people and families in my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales and right around the country. I also look forward to welcoming Minister Rishworth to my electorate next week to meet with local workers who will directly benefit from this reform. Thank you.
His Holiness Pope Francis | Condolences | House debates
On behalf of my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales, I rise to join others speaking on the condolence motion for Pope Francis and to pay my respects to a man who dedicated his life...
On behalf of my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales, I rise to join others speaking on the condolence motion for Pope Francis and to pay my respects to a man who dedicated his life simply to humble service. Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 19 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 1958, as a young man, he took inspiration from a priest while attending confession and began years of study at his local seminary. In 1969 he was ordained by the archbishop and joined the priesthood. Over the years, he rose through the Catholic Church in South America before assuming the role of archbishop. True to his nature, which the world would come to know years later, Bergoglio undertook significant reforms across the archdiocese to reduce exorbitant spending, instead connecting the church with poor and disadvantaged communities. He regularly celebrated Holy Thursday by washing the feet of people in local jails, hospitals, retirement homes and slums. In 2001, Pope John Paul II made Bergoglio a cardinal. His humble lifestyle meant he spent most of his time in South America, and, unlike many of these fellow cardinals, he would only visit Rome for short periods of time, commonly known in Catholic circles as lightning visits. In 2005, as a cardinal, Bergoglio took part in the papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. At the time, he himself was considered a frontrunner for the papacy. In 2016, Benedict announced that he would resign—the first pontiff to stand down in 600 years. On 13 March 2013, the papal conclave elected Bergoglio as the Bishop of Rome, the new Pope. Stepping out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to the celebrations of Catholics across the world, the new Pope would be known as Francis—a name he chose because, like Francis of Assisi, who he honoured, he had a special place in his heart for ministry for the poor, the disenfranchised and those facing injustice. Francis stood on the balcony in white wearing a simple iron cross he'd had for many years, substantially different to the gold worn by his predecessors. Throughout his papacy, Francis brought the Catholic Church into the 21st century, modernising it and opening it up to more believers and people of faith around the world. His ability to connect with people, understand them and offer mercy led to him being respected and revered far beyond followers of the Catholic faith. In my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Francis was widely respected for his simple, humble life of service and his approach, through social justice, focused on supporting disadvantaged people and protecting the planet for future generations. Father Raul, on behalf of the Wyong Catholic Parish, said of Pope Francis: 'Remembering a man of God who touched the hearts of millions of the people around the world, a man of deep faith with a unique way of leading the Catholic Church, inspiring even non-Christians and non-believers.' Father Raul goes on: 'He was a man of humility, compassion and mercy, especially for the marginalised and those living on the periphery of society.' He continues: 'One thing that makes him so special as well is when he took the name of Francis, the only pope to do so, because, like Francis of Assisi, he was a man of the poor and he cared so much for the environment.' Lastly: 'He was a man of hope. He encourages each and everyone of us to be pilgrims of hope as he declared this year Jubilee of Hope.' He finishes: 'Who can ever forget this lovely and full life of service to God, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who, at the very last moments of his earthly life, wanted to serve God and his people.' My parents raised my brother, sister and I on the teachings of the Catholic Church, and I attended the local Catholic primary school, St Cecilia's in Wyong, and then went on to Mater Dei College and Corpus Christi College—now St Peter's Catholic College in Tuggerah. When my mother, who is on the parish council, contacted Father Raul for some quotes for today, he was offering mass in the local high school. Now, I see my nieces and nephews growing in their faith. My niece, Arna, recently celebrated her first holy communion, and my nephew, Oscar, will have his confirmation tomorrow night. I'm disappointed that I can't be there, but he is taking on the name of John as his confirmation name. As a Catholic, I reflect, today, on the humble life of service of Pope Francis. My godson, Gabriel, sent me today his favourite quote of Pope Francis to share with us: 'Rivers do not drink their own water. Trees do not eat their own fruit. The sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We're all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is, life is good when you are happy but much better when others are happy because of you.' After years of humble service as a priest, bishop, archbishop, cardinal and pope, Francis now rests in eternal life with the Lord. May he rest in everlasting peace.
Grant McBride Baths, Wyong District Tennis Association, Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub | Constituency Statements | House debates
Like so many locals growing up on the coast, I spent many long, hot summers swimming at the Entrance Ocean Baths with my brothers and sister. In 2018, our family was honoured when the Central...
Like so many locals growing up on the coast, I spent many long, hot summers swimming at the Entrance Ocean Baths with my brothers and sister. In 2018, our family was honoured when the Central Coast Council unanimously voted to rename the baths after my late father, Grant, in recognition of his campaign to save, restore and heritage list the baths in the early 2000s for our community. Before the last election, I committed to $250,000 towards the ocean baths as part of a broader $1 million package to revitalise the Entrance. Work has included new shade sails and upgrades to the clubhouse. New pumps and pipes have now significantly improved water quality, and I've heard from many locals when I'm at the baths myself who've told me what a difference this has made for regular swimmers; for visitors; for the Tuggerah Tuffs, which my father was a proud patron of; and for the Entrance Amateur Swimming Club. Towards the end of last year, the community came together to celebrate these upgrades. My brother Nick joined the swimming race, cheered on by his No. 1 fan, my mum, Barbie. A special thank you to my brother Iggi, who cooked the excellent barbecue, which was enjoyed by everybody. I'm proud to have delivered on my election commitment of $100,000 for Wyong Tennis to resurface their main courts. I recently joined the Wednesday ladies tennis for a match, and they told me how much upgrades have improved play and safety and encouraged new members to join the club. Wyong Tennis has, for over a century, been a place for people to meet, play and stay active. It was the first place where I learnt to play tennis, and I'm so proud to have been able to make this commitment to Wyong District Tennis Association. I want to thank Leoni Baldwin from the tennis club for the work that she's done on behalf of that club and our community. In case you didn't know, when it comes to food manufacturing, it's all happening on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Australian and globally recognised brands, like Sanitarium and Mars, produce some of our country's most beloved pantry staples and snacks right in the heart of my community. I'm so proud that, working alongside Central Coast Industry Connect and the University of Newcastle, I've been able to secure more than $17 million for the Ourimbah food manufacturing hub. This is government working together with industry and research to be able to provide significant investment in a quality project that will create hundreds of jobs in one of the biggest sectors in our community. Recently—just before Christmas, in fact—I had the opportunity to visit stage 1 of the hub, which has opened at the university's Ourimbah Campus, and work is well under way on the permanent home nearby. I congratulate Frank Zammit, Central Coast Industry Connect and all who have been part of this project.
Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
The first thousand days, sorry—and the difference that makes to young people and families. This report goes on to say: Significant fiscal benefits flow to both the Commonwealth and state...
The first thousand days, sorry—and the difference that makes to young people and families. This report goes on to say: Significant fiscal benefits flow to both the Commonwealth and state and territory governments. This is clearly good for young children. It's very beneficial to their families. It makes an incredible difference to communities. But it also helps the budget. This drives the economy. It helps the budget bottom line. There are so many benefits of this type of policy. Recently we had the minister, Dr Anne Aly, come and visit the Eleanor Duncan centre in my community of Wyong and speak about the work they're doing, particularly with First Nations young people, where they're combining the benefits of early learning with health. We know that bringing these two together will make such a big difference in addressing the social determinants of health and education. I was so pleased to be able to have the minister in my electorate and to be able to talk about this, including in preschools like Wyong Preschool where this is being introduced. Leaders from across the early education sector support this change. The experts support it, the educators support it and families welcome it. I believe parliamentarians across a broad range of backgrounds representing electorates from across the country also support it. I ask the Liberal and National parties to put Australian children first, to show their support and to help our nation grasp this opportunity for our future. I commend the bill to the House.
In my time in this parliament, I have had the privilege of meeting children and educators and families right across the Central Coast of New South Wales. From The Entrance to Wyong, Long Jetty to...
In my time in this parliament, I have had the privilege of meeting children and educators and families right across the Central Coast of New South Wales. From The Entrance to Wyong, Long Jetty to Wyoming, Lake Haven to Lisarow and Warnervale to Bateau Bay, I have seen the magic of these early learning centres. I have sat in awe of the educators who bring them to life. I've visited with the minister and with my colleague the member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid. Deputy Speaker Freelander, like you, I have now been here long enough to see many of those children grow up and start primary school and even to see some of them start high school, taking with them the foundational skills and capabilities learnt in those very early years. This stage of education is key to future learning and growth in everyone. It's as much about their education as it is about their personal development and their socialisation. This early stage of education is key. The evidence on that point is well and truly settled. We in the Labor Party come to this policy area with a simple goal: how do we give every Australian child the best start in life, and the opportunity to benefit from early education and enjoy the life opportunities which flow from it? The answer, like the question, is a simple one: we reduce the barriers to early education for those who are missing out. In my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales, where many families face these barriers, this legislation presents a big opportunity: the chance for real change. The bill before us offers a possibility for all Australian families to be guaranteed three days of childcare subsidy each fortnight. It will replace the Liberal Party's activity test, with a three-day guarantee to operate from the beginning of next year, from 2026. For First Nations children and those with parents in work, study and training, the guarantee will be 100 hours of childcare subsidy per fortnight. The activity test didn't work. It didn't work in my community; it didn't work across the country. It did not support parents into more paid work. It just penalised children from low-income families and left them further behind. In the space of one year under the activity test, the number of children from low-income families in early education plummeted from around 32,000 to just 6,500, an 80 per cent decline in young children from low-income families being able to have the best start in life due to early childhood education. It's time to rectify this major policy mistake and the impact that it's had on young children and families. This bill will increase entitlements to more than 100,000 families across the country, growing education opportunities and easing cost-of-living pressure for families and household budgets. It's a big step towards universal early education, building on our government's cheaper childcare policy and our 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators. I recently visited some educators. I visited Woongarrah Goodstart in my electorate. It was the day after the older children had graduated. They were very excited to have been graduating from early learning and being off to start school. The educators, when I visited, just wanted to let me know the difference that some of Labor's policies in this area are making to them but more importantly to the children and families that they have the privilege of working with. This is what the centre director, Shann Crain, told me: 'The wage increase has had a massive impact for educators. Most members of the team have worked here for 10 years. This increase has meant that they can stay in their roles, continuing to provide the high-quality care and support our families have come to expect. The increase will also help to recruit and retain new staff as our community's needs expand, with a waiting list of over 530 children for our centre alone.' These are the words of the centre director, who I had the privilege of catching up with not long after, as I said, the students had graduated. It was evident from the young children in that centre the educational opportunities, care, support and dedication provided by the early childhood educators. For a long time, they have been undervalued and haven't been properly remunerated for the contribution that they make. I'm so pleased to be part of a government that's improving that. I know it's been very well received in my electorate. The individual stories I have heard are backed in by substantial evidence and expert advice, including through the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee report from last year and the Women's Economic Equality Taskforce before that. Going further back, the Lifting our game report of 2017 by Sue Pascoe AM and Professor Deborah Brennan offered the then government the platform to push this work forward. It's worth reflecting on. I'll quote from some of this report. It says: Children who participate in high quality early childhood education are more likely to complete year 12 and are less likely to repeat grades or require additional support. It goes on: High quality early childhood education also has broader impacts; it is linked with higher levels of employment, income and financial security, improved health outcomes and reduced crime. It helps build the skills children will need for the jobs of the future. Quality early childhood education and care is best considered as an investment, not a cost. Investment in early childhood education provides a strong return, with a variety of studies indicating benefits of 2-4 times the costs. I know, Deputy Speaker Freelander, as a paediatrician and someone who represents a community not dissimilar to mine in terms of families and their circumstances, your strong push for the first 100 days—
Since coming to office, our Labor government has been focused on strengthening Medicare. After a decade of cuts and neglect under the former Liberal government, we've seen a stabilisation in...
Since coming to office, our Labor government has been focused on strengthening Medicare. After a decade of cuts and neglect under the former Liberal government, we've seen a stabilisation in bulk-billing—we've seen a big increase of nearly eight per cent in communities like mine—and we've seen the opening of new services like urgent care clinics and Medicare mental health centres. As a pharmacist, as a regional MP and as the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Regional and Rural Health, I know there is more to do but I also know that, after a decade of cuts and neglect, we have made progress. I note, Deputy Speaker Chesters, the big increase in bulk-billing that we've seen in your community in Bendigo since tripling of the bulk-billing incentive. As I said, as a registered pharmacist, someone who was the chief pharmacist at our local hospital and someone who's worked in health care their whole life, I know there is more to do but I'm so pleased to see what we've been able to achieve so far. I also know what's at risk if we aren't re-elected. I think it's important to remember it was the Hawke Labor government that established Medicare 41 years ago, and it was opposed at every point. We've gone to elections about Medicare. We've been taken to court about Medicare. Only Labor believes in Medicare, believes universal health care and believes in health care for all Australians, wherever they live and whatever they can afford. At the last election, we committed to two Medicare urgent care clinics on the Central Coast. In late 2023, the Umina and Lake Haven Medicare urgent care clinics opened, offering free walk-in urgent care seven days a week over extended hours. I am so pleased to update the House that, since opening, the Lake Haven Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has seen more than 15,000 people. That's 15,000 local people who've been able to have walk-in free quality care. It's also important to let the House know that almost a third of those people are children under 15. It's become a trusted alternative to the emergency department, particularly for families. Almost a third of those visits are out of hours. People would otherwise have been forced to go to an already stretched emergency department. This is making such a big difference in the community that I live in and represent. Recently, I was pleased to officially launch the Medicare mental health centre in Tuggerah Business Park. It is offering free walk-in mental health support and care for everyone. I note my colleague, the member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, is here. She's a really strong and passionate advocate for mental health services and she was delighted to also have the opportunity to be at the official opening of the service in her community, as well. This is making such a big difference to people in communities right across the country. This is free walk-in care for people, and they don't need a referral or have to wait for an appointment. They are able to access psychologists, counsellors and social workers. As the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, I was so pleased to be able to secure nearly $30 million in additional funding to establish a virtual network that means psychologists and psychiatrists are available in every centre. If someone walks into a centre in Richmond, in Macquarie, or they walk into the centre in Tuggerah on the Central Coast, they will be connected to a network of specialist psychiatrists and psychologists who are able to meet their needs. It's making such a big difference. I've worked in mental health and health for all of my working life. We have worked collaboratively with the states and territories, with service providers and with clinicians to be able to reform mental health and suicide prevention in Australia. Soon, we will have a new national early intervention service where anyone in distress who needs support can call up over the phone or video and be given that earlier intervention. We know the earlier the intervention, the less the impact and duration of their distress. We're also, as I mentioned, rolling out Medicare mental health centres where someone can walk in without an appointment and without a referral to get free wraparound support and care because we know that sometimes the support that someone needs is holistic wraparound support and care. As I mentioned, as someone who has worked in acute mental health inpatient units in Wyong Hospital in my electorate, I cannot express the profound difference that putting mental health in the heart of Medicare and putting services in the heart of communities is making to people right around the country. I want to finish with the story of Ken from Gladstone— (Time expired)
Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Bill 2024; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
Free TAFE Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I rise in support of this bill, the Free TAFE Bill 2024—legislation that makes free TAFE permanent. It's semester 1 of TAFE in New South Wales, when new TAFE students are starting and...
I rise in support of this bill, the Free TAFE Bill 2024—legislation that makes free TAFE permanent. It's semester 1 of TAFE in New South Wales, when new TAFE students are starting and returning students are coming back. This legislation will cement 100,000 free TAFE courses every year to give Australians skills and qualifications in aged care, early childhood education, construction and much, much more. When we came to government, Labor introduced free TAFE, given the clear need to rapidly grow our skilled workforce and the challenges facing our economy. This is a new opportunity that Australians have embraced across the country. We have seen a record uptake, with nearly 600,000 enrolments in less than two years, demonstrating the genuine desire of Australians to upskill or reskill, to train and retrain. Free TAFE has opened up new opportunities and pathways for people in my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales who wouldn't have been able to study or train. Locals have spoken to me at my mobile offices and when I'm out and about in the community about what a difference free TAFE is making to them, to their families and friends and to our community. Tahisha from Blue Haven said: As a mum of 4, I want to get back to work, but I couldn't afford to pay for a course. Free TAFE has made it possible for me to study a Certificate 4 in Project Management and better myself to return to work. Lori-Anne from Wongarrah said: Without Free TAFE I would never have signed up to complete the Certificate 4 in Training & Assessment. I found myself wondering what I could do next and now find myself on a journey I never could have imagined. These real stories of people like Tahisha and Lori-Anne are what this legislation is about. It's about opening up the doors to opportunity and creating new opportunities and pathways to skills and training and reliable jobs. That's what Labor governments do. In my electorate, one-third of people hold a TAFE qualification. That is significantly higher than the national average. For people in my community, TAFE has long been a trusted, reliable pathway to gain the skills that they need for a steady job and a good career. My late father, Grant, was a licensed builder and civil structural engineer, and something that he was most proud of was being a TAFE teacher. He dedicated much of his working life to TAFE, to his students and to giving them the skills and opportunities that they needed. He believed that all Australians, especially those in the outer suburbs and the regions, deserved quality skills and affordable training. TAFE offers flexibility—flexibility for parents, young people, working people and carers seeking to start a career, to change career, to upskill, to retrain or to gain qualifications—with four out of five enrolments being part time, offering that flexibility that so many people need to be able to gain the skills they need and the qualifications they need. Of the 500,000 enrolments since we created free TAFE, almost half of them have been in New South Wales. Over 50,000 enrolments have been in the care sector. My colleague Assistant Minister Ged Kearney has really championed the care economy. Through these free TAFE courses, we've seen a big uptake in people being able to gain the skills they need to work in our care economy and more than 17,000 in the technology and digital sector and 13,000 in early childhood education, upskilling our workforce and providing skills that are really needed in communities like mine and providing essential services that people need, like aged care and early childhood education. Free TAFE is saving each participant thousands of dollars. That is money that stays in their bank balance. That is money that means that they can afford to be able to study and train, removing cost barriers which have prevented too many people from studying, particularly in my community. I spoke to a woman who is about my age. She was at the TAFE campus at Ourimbah. She was now studying. She wanted to be a travel agent. Her kids are grown, and now, through these free opportunities, it meant that she could back herself. She said, 'If there were a cost involved, I don't know that I could take that sort of risk in exploring a new career or trying over.' The confidence that it gave her because she had that financial support to do it meant that she could now have that career that she always wanted. And she's providing. She's supporting the local economy and jobs in our community. On the Central Coast of New South Wales, we have three TAFE campuses: one in Gosford in Robertson, one in Ourimbah and a third one in Wyong in my electorate. My brother Eddie is a plumber and a gas fitter, and when he finished school he was able to go to Wyong TAFE to be able to gain his plumbing certification. He's had a really good career as a local business owner, and he's now completing his MBA. These are the kind of pathways that are available to people particularly in the outer suburbs and regions that we are going to really open up and make those opportunities available to so many people in our community. I want to also acknowledge the work of my state colleague, my good friend David Harris, the member for Wyong and the Minister for the Central Coast. David has been able to secure some additional funding for an expansion of the Wyong TAFE campus because the New South Wales government believes in the value of TAFE. In fact, today, the New South Wales Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education launched the new TAFE NSW Charter, reaffirming its commitment to equip the state with the skilled workforce it urgently needs. I know that this commitment from New South Wales will make such a difference, because we saw, under the former Liberal government in New South Wales such a neglect of vocational education, and such a neglect of regional campuses. I'm so pleased; this is a complete turnaround. The New South Wales government, the Minns Labor government, is investing strongly in TAFE. I remember my father, a former TAFE teacher, railing against—I think it was then the Greiner government in the early 1990s—John Kaye introducing fees for TAFE in New South Wales. It's something that the Liberals have always done. They did it in New South Wales in the late 1980s or early 1990s, and they've done it at different times. As members of the Labor Party, something that we're really proud of is that Labor will always support TAFE. It really concerned me, when we heard the deputy leader of the Liberal Party late last year say, 'If you don't pay for something, you don't value it.' That's what they believe. I invite the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to come to Bateau Bay and tell a sole parent raising two school-aged children, working full-time and upskilling through a part-time free TAFE course that they don't value that opportunity, and that they don't realise the opportunity that it will create for them and their children, and the contribution that they can make to our local economy. Or I invite her to come Gorokan and tell the school leaver, who has just moved out of home and is trying to make ends meet while undertaking a free TAFE course, that he doesn't value it. Of course he does. A young person in the outer suburbs in regions absolutely knows the value of having skills and qualifications, and of being able to have a quality job, a good career and one that is close to home. Free TAFE matters, because for people in communities like mine on the Central Coast of New South Wales, without free TAFE they just miss out. They wouldn't have a crack. They wouldn't have that shot at an education that our education minister has worked so hard to create for them and that our minister for TAFE and skills has worked for as well. People would miss out. This is something that, coming into the election this year, is something that is at risk. The opposition don't value TAFE; they never have. I'm really concerned for people in my community who won't have those opportunities in the future. We saw that, as I mentioned earlier, with the gutting of TAFE in New South Wales, under the former Liberal government, and the lack of investment of the former coalition government at the federal level. Our Labor government established free TAFE. This legislation makes it permanent, with a hundred thousand places each year. I will always fight for people in my community, I will always stand up for their opportunities, and I will always support free TAFE. I commend bill to the House.
Rearrangement | Business | House debates
The government acknowledges the member for Calare's deep interest in this matter as we do the member for Kennedy's. In the member for Calare's community, he faces a challenge which many of us do:...
The government acknowledges the member for Calare's deep interest in this matter as we do the member for Kennedy's. In the member for Calare's community, he faces a challenge which many of us do: the need to attract and retain more doctors to deliver the quality, affordable health care that communities need and people deserve. I recall an MPI the member moved on this matter in May, and, following his question to the Minister for Health and Aged Care last week, a meeting has been scheduled for the member for Calare and Minister Butler, and I look forward to joining them for that important discussion. The government is keen to continue our constructive engagement with the member for Calare; however we will not be supporting this motion to suspend standing orders. Big challenges remain in getting enough doctors to communities which need them in the years ahead, and Minister Butler has repeatedly said that general practice has been his key focus under our strengthening Medicare agenda since we came to government. There are many initiatives working to support that, and I will go through just a few today: historic increases in the Medicare rebate and bulk-billing incentive deliberately designed to deliver the most support to rural and regional doctors; increased GP training through a college led training system and more Commonwealth supported places; $90 million to implement the recommendations of the Kruk review and make it easier to bring internationally trained doctors to Australia in a globally competitive market; and innovative models of care grants to support innovative team based approaches to primary care in rural settings. We know these measures are beginning to work. The slide in bulk-billing has stopped, and rates are increasing, including in Calare, which is up to 81.8 per cent of consultations fully bulk-billed. GP training programs are fully subscribed for the first time in many years. GP morale is improving and more GPs are feeling valued in their specialisation and are importantly recommending it as a career to young doctors in training. This is from the RACGP's General practice: health of the nation report. But we know there are also people living in regional and outer metropolitan areas who find it difficult to see a GP when they need one. The complexity of this challenge means we cannot equate morality with need, as has been common practice in the past, so our policy work is set out to fully understand these complexities and respond to them, in particular our distribution levers, GP incentives and scope-of-practice reviews. The government is considering each of the reviews and has committed to working with our key stakeholders in the response. Indeed, I was speaking last week with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and this morning with the incoming president—the new president—of the Royal Australian College of General Practice about them. To the member for Kennedy, bulk-billing rates in Kennedy are up 4.1 per cent from November last year when the tripling of the bulk-billing incentive flowed—came into effect—to October this year. I thank you for the opportunity to visit in your community, including with your local GP. We are aware of the challenges facing the GP practice in Charters Towers and have ensured the Rural Workforce Agency and Primary Health Network are providing recruitment and business planning support. I extend the same offer to the member for Calare and other members with a keen interest in this work. We, as a government, are working determinedly to grow doctor numbers and take affordable health care back to every region in the country and will continue to do so through the many policy initiatives that I have mentioned.
Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Bill 2024; Third Reading | Bills | House debates