Peter Khalil's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-10T22:05:32+00:00
items: Medicare | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Bolkus, Hon. Nick | Condolences | House debates
items: Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
items: Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
items: Glenroy Post Office, cohealth | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
items: Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training; Reference | Committees | House debates
items: Middle East | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Housing, WorldSkills Australia | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Housing Australia Investment Mandate Amendment (Delivering on Our 2025 Election Commitment) Direction 2025; Consideration | Documents | House debates
items: National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates

Medicare | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Our government, the Albanese government, promised a Medicare urgent care clinic for Coburg in my electorate at the election, and now we are delivering on our promise. In the coming weeks the...
encoded: Our government, the Albanese government, promised a Medicare urgent care clinic for Coburg in my electorate at the election, and now we are delivering on our promise. In the coming weeks the Coburg Medicare urgent care clinic, on 444 Sydney Road, is going to open. It's going to be open seven days a week. It's going to have extended hours on the weekend, and all you need is your Medicare card, not your credit card. So if the member from Wagga injures himself playing footy and he's in Melbourne at the time, he can come and get some urgent medical care for his non-life-threatening condition. He'll be welcome. This is going to help. But, more importantly, it's going to help our locals. It's going to help the constituents I represent in my electorate to get the care they need closer to home. And it's going to take a lot of pressure off the local hospital emergency departments. In comparison, the opposition, when they were last in government, tried to end bulk-billing with a GP tax. They froze Medicare rebates for six years and stripped billions out of Medicare. Only Labor strengthens Medicare and only Labor delivers in my electorate of Wills and across Australia. This might be controversial, but there is no better electorate in the country than Wills, my electorate, when it comes to, specifically, the arts. Why do I say that? Well, it is because of the arts facilities in my electorate, including Balam Balam Place, to which our government contributed $1 million towards construction. There are 8,000 people in my electorate employed in the cultural and creative occupations. So Wills is the place to live or to visit if you love the arts. That's why I'm so pleased to see Creative Australia award 23 grants to artists in my community of Wills in their latest funding round. This includes funding for Triple R, a not-for-profit community radio station, one of the best local radio stations—I've been on there—and funding to musicians like Stella Donnelly and Mindy Meng Wang. It also…
date: 2026-02-10T16:51:00+00:00

Bolkus, Hon. Nick | Condolences | House debates
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description: A month or two before Christmas last year, I got a call from Nick Bolkus. He was at an aged care facility, actually, and he was struggling. His voice was barely more than a whisper, but the...
encoded: A month or two before Christmas last year, I got a call from Nick Bolkus. He was at an aged care facility, actually, and he was struggling. His voice was barely more than a whisper, but the clarity of what he was saying to me and what he was asking me about was very much there despite the difficulty in hearing what he was trying to say. He was interested in the policies that we were implementing. He was asking questions about social cohesion and multiculturalism. He was asking me questions about the new ministry position that I have. He was engaged, he was wise, he gave me some good advice, and he cared. We are all standing here, today, to pay our respects in this condolence motion to a man who gave so much of himself in public service—obviously to the state of South Australia but also to the entire nation. I want to offer my sincere condolences to his wife, Mary, and his children, Aria, Mikayla and Nicholas, plus the wider, very large community of friends and family that have been touched by the contribution that he's made—even to, right beside me, the member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas, who worked for Nick for 10 years. Now, Mikayla has worked for Steve. The amount of wisdom that Steve probably benefited from Nick and his experience in his career and as a mentor to so many talented politicians—I'll put you in that category—who serve their community faithfully and who do everything they can to give people a better life—that was Nick at the national policy level but also at a community level, at a local level. We've heard that he was a pioneer of progressive politics. That's certainly the case. He was the architect of modern multiculturalism. We call him one of the fathers of multiculturalism, and that's certainly true. He had a long and distinguished career in politics. He was elected to the Senate in 1980, and his life was a life of public service and of literally giving himself to the nation and to his state of South Australia, his beloved South Australia. He a…
date: 2026-02-05T10:45:00+00:00

Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
type: item
description: Not a question! What have you been doing?
encoded: Not a question! What have you been doing?
date: 2026-02-05T15:18:00+00:00

Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
type: item
description: I made no remark.
encoded: I made no remark.
date: 2026-02-05T15:18:00+00:00

Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
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description: While we're all strangers on this earth, even so, our souls melt from the heaviness of last month's heinous attack on Australia's Jewish community. It showed us, horrifically and graphically, the...
encoded: While we're all strangers on this earth, even so, our souls melt from the heaviness of last month's heinous attack on Australia's Jewish community. It showed us, horrifically and graphically, the evil that can reside in the souls of human beings, an evil that seeks to destroy our humanity. All Australians and the rest of the world were utterly horrified by this ISIS-inspired terrorist atrocity at Bondi Beach. What we've been faced with is tragedy, pain and grief: the tragedy of 15 innocent people losing their lives, including 10-year-old Matilda; the visceral pain of survivors and family members who witnessed the horror; and the aching grief of our entire nation at the incomprehensible loss of those innocent lives and of our nation's innocence. Yes, this atrocity at Bondi was targeted at our Jewish Australian community, but it was also an attack on all of us. What sense could any of us make of this depraved evil act? For many of us, there was no sense to it. It is an unalloyed hatred, borne of evil. It's an extremist Islamist world view, a perversion of a great faith. It's a perversion that rejects our pluralism, our democracy and our very way of life. It's a world view that encourages its adherents to dehumanise and demonise minorities—people of Jewish faith—and that encourages deadly attacks on innocent people, with no respect for human life. That is the simple evil of it. But there is light in the darkness. There is something to grasp in the emptiness. That has been the response of Australians in the wake of this brutality. They've shown us the light: the strength in our unity when we do come together. The bravery of our fellow Australians, who fought to stop the evil acts of violence inflicted by these terrorists, is the light. Boris and Sofia Gurman and Reuven Morrison all lost their lives trying to stop the attackers, buying precious moments for others to get away and to live. We all know the heroic story of Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Syrian refugee who tackled and d…
date: 2026-01-19T15:53:00+00:00

Glenroy Post Office, cohealth | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: Last week my office hosted my neighbour, the member for Maribyrnong, Joe Briskey; the local state MP for Broadmeadows, Kathleen Matthews-Ward; and the Glenroy Post Office working group, a local...
encoded: Last week my office hosted my neighbour, the member for Maribyrnong, Joe Briskey; the local state MP for Broadmeadows, Kathleen Matthews-Ward; and the Glenroy Post Office working group, a local working group led by John and Sonja Rutherford. We've had many meetings with that working group over the last two years since the closure of Glenroy Post Office in 2023. I wanted, once again, to commend the work of the entire working group—all those locals who care, as we continue to advocate together for Australia Post to reopen an LPO in Glenroy. The effects of this closure, which occurred two years ago, cannot be underestimated for the community: the elderly, people with disability, local shopkeepers, people that don't have cars, and many others who have felt the negative effects of the post office closing. However, our pleas to reopen a Glenroy site have fallen on deaf ears. Despite improper metrics being used—they measured the foot traffic while the Glenroy train station was being rebuilt, so that didn't give an accurate reflection—and a lack of community consultation, there's still resistance to reopening this vital community service. The Glenroy Post Office closure is not unique to my electorate. I know this is occurring in many electorates around Australia. Many constituents have contacted my office—and I'm sure those of other MPs here—in distress about the inability to access local postal services. My hope for the Glenroy community, and for those affected across the country, is that Australia Post continues to come to the table with realistic solutions toward the viability of postal services. It is a community service; it is not just for profit. This is a service that's been provided by government for hundreds of years—like the military, the police and other frontline services. It is important that the community are consulted when changes are happening locally, and we will keep fighting for them. It was also disappointing to learn through the media just last month th…
date: 2025-11-26T09:51:00+00:00

Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: but they told the stories of the emerging migrant groups. We saw people reflected on the screen, telling us who we are and showing us who we are. This government is committed to delivering on our...
encoded: but they told the stories of the emerging migrant groups. We saw people reflected on the screen, telling us who we are and showing us who we are. This government is committed to delivering on our national cultural policy, Revive. That policy is pivotal to our ability to promote the cultural importance of local Australian stories, ensure that Australian content has international reach and support Australia's global brand and standing. It is also pivotal to our ability to boost the positive economic impact of the screen sector on Australia's economy. This government believes strongly that, to understand who we are better, to tell our stories and to express ourselves, we should never ever underestimate how important it is for Australians to see themselves represented on the screen. There is nothing wrong with American sitcoms, European shows and so on. They're all great shows, but they're not our stories. Our stories are unique to us. They are also a window on Australia and the diversity of Australia, and being able to tell those stories to the rest of the world is important for Australia's standing globally. With this bill, the Albanese government is standing with our Australian creatives. We're making sure that that percentage of revenue that the streaming services collect from their subscriptions in Australia is going to be reinvested in Australian content. It will be a steady stream. In everything I've heard from the industry, they say, 'We need that stability. We need that baseline so we know that we've got work, and a pipeline of work—not one job and then eight months sitting at home, hoping for another job to come. We need to have that steady stream coming through.' So we as a government are always going to invest in our culture, our industries and our future. I think this is a really important bill for Australia's cultural identity and for all the creative people and all the young people, as well as older people, who want to continue to work in creative industr…
date: 2025-11-24T18:25:00+00:00

Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: Wake in Frightsometimes that happens when I'm in Canberra. Death in Brunswickthat happens in my electorate. Breaker Morant and Gallipoli are great historical stories. Picnic at Hanging Rock;...
encoded: Wake in Frightsometimes that happens when I'm in Canberra. Death in Brunswickthat happens in my electorate. Breaker Morant and Gallipoli are great historical stories. Picnic at Hanging Rock; Lantana; Phar Lap; The Castle, which is another great favourite; Strictly Ballroom; Two Hands; WalkaboutI could go on about great Australian cinema. I've got some for you, Deputy Speaker Georganas: Acropolis Now, Our Generation, The Wog Boy. There was all of that great TV that we saw growing up: The Slap, Skippy the Bush Kangaroodo you remember that one? I watched that when I was a kid. Then there's Kath and Kim. Look at me, Deputy Speaker; I'm talking about Kath and Kim. The Secret Life of Us, Mystery Road, Heartbreak High, and on and on—it's great Australian television. My kids watch InvestiGators. That was on the ABC. It's a fantastic show for kids. This is what this is about. The Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill is about supporting Australian storytellers, Australian cinema and Australian TV and about making sure, in amending through the Communications Legislation Amendment Bill, that we introduce content obligations on streaming services to make sure that, no matter which screen people are watching on, they have guaranteed access to Australian stories. We've always been a nation of storytellers, from the world's oldest continuous cultures—the First Nations storytellers—to the more modern storytellers that have brought to life the modern multicultural stories of ours to our screens, both the small screen and the silver screen. The screen industry is one of the most powerful platforms we have to share Australian stories—to share our stories with the world—whether it's Crocodile Dundee or Kath and Kim. This bill ensures that our national identity, our voices, our experiences and our creativity are not only preserved but projected out proudly to future generations and to audiences ac…
date: 2025-11-24T18:25:00+00:00

Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; Third Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
encoded: by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
date: 2025-11-05T17:10:00+00:00

Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I thank the member for Bradfield for her contribution. The government will not be supporting this amendment to the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025. The...
encoded: I thank the member for Bradfield for her contribution. The government will not be supporting this amendment to the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025. The membership arrangements of this proposed committee reflect, quite rightly, the arrangements of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, and the reason they reflect those arrangements is the success of the longstanding and well-respected PJCIS. It is a key model for the parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence which allows for effective, balanced oversight of defence matters by both government and non-government members. The selection of members of parliament is made in the same way as for the PJCIS—by the Prime Minister, who will select up to 13 members, non-government and government members.
date: 2025-11-05T16:57:00+00:00

Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training; Reference | Committees | House debates
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description: I move, under standing order 45(c): That order of the day No. 3, government business, be called on immediately.
encoded: I move, under standing order 45(c): That order of the day No. 3, government business, be called on immediately.
date: 2025-11-05T10:23:00+00:00

Middle East | Constituency Statements | House debates
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description: I recently had the opportunity to sit down with students from Coburg High School to discuss advocacy for peace in the Middle East. The students were thoughtful and deeply passionate. They came...
encoded: I recently had the opportunity to sit down with students from Coburg High School to discuss advocacy for peace in the Middle East. The students were thoughtful and deeply passionate. They came ready with considered questions and asked me to discuss my reflections on these today. The loss of innocent life that has occurred on and since October 7 in Gaza is horrific, and we all agree that the suffering must end. I've consistently called for a permanent ceasefire and return of hostages over the past two years and I welcome the recent ceasefire and release of hostages. It is all our hope that this ceasefire holds. But, I stress, it is the first of many more steps that will need to be taken to secure long-term peace in the region. The challenges of political transition, a security framework and economic reconstruction in Gaza are immense. During our meeting, the students asked why Australia has not placed sanctions on Israel in the same way we have on Russia. I discussed how Australia has placed sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers as well as targeted financial sanctions on various entities. A straightforward answer for the students is that, while Australia has never been a major player in the region, when applying sanctions they are most effective in getting results when done in conjunction with partners such as we have done with the UK, Canada and New Zealand. The students also asked me why we have not been referring to what is happening in Gaza as 'genocide'. I explained that we publicly support international law and the work of international tribunals such as the ICJ and the ICC. In 2024, the ICJ made a provisional ruling that Palestinians in Gaza have plausible right to protection from genocide and ordered Israel to take steps to prevent that. The Australian government supported this. As a matter of important principle, though, it is not in the power of or appropriate for any lawmaker in this place to make determinations on war crimes or genocide. I say that b…
date: 2025-11-04T16:02:00+00:00

Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: I am standing in support of the Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025. I do so encouraged by the fact that we are having this debate in good faith, and with a bipartisanship that is...
encoded: I am standing in support of the Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025. I do so encouraged by the fact that we are having this debate in good faith, and with a bipartisanship that is probably all too rare for our parliament—we should have more of that. It is good to see that there is a genuine debate we are having around something that there is bipartisan support for. All of us, on either side of the aisles, know that we are passing this because we want to make sure parents don't have to make that devastating choice between returning to work or giving themselves the space to heal post the loss of a child. I think we're all in agreement that no parent should have to be forced to return to work after enduring a stillbirth or the death of a child. This bill delivers on our election commitment to legislate for that continued access of employer and paid parental leave for working parents dealing with stillbirth or early infant death. It removes the archaic sections out of the Fair Work Act which state that, where a child is stillborn or dies, an employer may give notice to cancel or reduce the leave period. Today we are changing that. Amendments in the bill will preserve entitlements to paid parental leave in situations of infant loss by preventing employers from either refusing to allow employees to take PPL or unilaterally cancelling approved periods of PPL. We've heard some disturbing stories on the news during the course of this debate about employers, who otherwise have had a great relationship with employees, suddenly deciding to cancel what had been approved periods of paid parental leave. One of the parents informed their employer and then was told that they had to come back to work in a couple of days; they were only entitled to two days of bereavement leave. These changes include those who have had children through surrogacy or adoption arrangements as well. The bill is named after Baby Priya, who heartbreakingly died when she was just 42 days old. In the…
date: 2025-10-29T12:02:00+00:00

Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today I rise in support of the Albanese Labor government's Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025, which will...
encoded: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today I rise in support of the Albanese Labor government's Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025, which will establish a parliamentary joint committee on Defence. This bill ensures that departments entrusted with extraordinary powers are subject to extraordinary accountability. In a time of evolving security threats, it has never been more important to maintain rigorous, independent oversight of our defence community. The bill delivers on recommendations that were set out and made by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade to establish a committee which is purely focused on Defence. Recommendations tabled by the JCFADT uncovered existing parliamentary oversight and accountability measures for Defence to be inadequate in balancing accountability, transparency and national security considerations. This bill seeks to amend these issues and give Australians greater trust in parliamentary oversight functions. By amending the Defence Act, this bill seeks to create a committee which will oversee the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Defence, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and key Defence portfolio agencies, including the Australian Submarine Agency, Defence Housing Australia and the Australian War Memorial. In terms of functions, the committee will be able to The PJCD will be able to receive and consider classified information in carrying out its oversight functions. This will ensure it has the information needed to conduct effective scrutiny of Defence and its portfolio agencies, thereby strengthening government decision-making on defence and strategic policy. Importantly, the bill establishes appropriate safeguards that balance the government's commitment to greater public accountability and transparency for Defence, and the necessary protection of information provided to the PJCD to ensure Australia's national security and that of our international partne…
date: 2025-10-08T09:49:00+00:00

Housing, WorldSkills Australia | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: Last week I visited the opening of LIV Albert, a build-to-rent apartment complex in my electorate of Wills. I was accompanied by my good friend the member for Macnamara, Josh Burns. We toured...
encoded: Last week I visited the opening of LIV Albert, a build-to-rent apartment complex in my electorate of Wills. I was accompanied by my good friend the member for Macnamara, Josh Burns. We toured this $330 million project, which sits in the heart of Brunswick, which is in the heart of my electorate of Wills. The complex boasts 498 new apartments and is designed specifically for renters. Build-to-rent sites bridge the gap between buying and renting in the Australian property market, creating a viable option for those who don't, or choose not to, own a home. While we were there, I met Nicole and Esteban, a young couple from Chile who have decided to call Australia home. They will be among the first residents at the site. Nicole and Esteban explained to me how they absolutely love the committee and lifestyle of living in Brunswick and how being able to rent at this site will allow them affordable access to a suburb and a part of Melbourne that they know and love. That's what build to rent is all about—allowing people to make communities they love their homes, with the security and stability for longer lease lengths. Since we formed government, over 5,000 social and affordable homes have now been completed with federal government investment. This is a stark contrast to the chronic shortage of social and affordable homes built under the previous coalition government. In nine years, the previous government managed to build—wait for it—373. We have made a $43 billion commitment to our housing agenda, with $20.7 billion now committed to projects that lock in lower rents for decades to come. This all builds on another huge week for housing investment in this country, where we have cut red tape for more homes, brought forward the five per cent deposits for more first home buyers and made more progress on social and affordable housing. Earlier this week in Canberra I had the pleasure of meeting one of my constituents, Joshua Seymour. Josh travelled to Canberra for the launch of th…
date: 2025-09-04T10:27:00+00:00

Housing Australia Investment Mandate Amendment (Delivering on Our 2025 Election Commitment) Direction 2025; Consideration | Documents | House debates
type: item
description: Yes, everyone knows. They might not know that about me, though. For my family, a migrant family that came to Australia in the seventies, having access to that affordable housing helped to level...
encoded: Yes, everyone knows. They might not know that about me, though. For my family, a migrant family that came to Australia in the seventies, having access to that affordable housing helped to level the playing field to a certain extent. It offered my family real equality of opportunity, and it was because of the policies of Labor governments, both state and federal, that we were given that opportunity. Despite many of the challenges and the prejudices we faced, it gave me the chance to succeed based on hard work and on merit. The fact that we had that foundation meant we weren't worried about being able to have a place to live. We were given that opportunity. The five per cent deposit scheme brought forward by the government will now make it even easier for those growing up in situations like mine to purchase their first home and have that foundation as well. As I said, we were elected with a clear mandate to bring down the deposit hurdle for first home buyers. That's what we're doing today with this debate. We have an ambitious $43 billion housing agenda that is actually delivering on our promise and our election commitments, because this government is about delivery. When you get rid of all the white noise—all the sound and fury that comes from the opposition benches, the crossbench and all the rest of it—in the end, Australians look to their government, the federal government, to fulfil its commitments and to deliver on the commitments it makes to them. We are building more homes to deliver on our commitment. We're backing first homebuyers, and we're supporting renters as well. We're making the Australian dream of homeownership attainable for millions of Australians, as it should be, because I think it's true to say—and I would hope this is agreed upon right across this place—that every Australian deserves the opportunity to own their own home. It shouldn't just be some day in the distant future; it should be sooner. And this government, the Albanese Labor government…
date: 2025-08-28T11:07:00+00:00

Housing Australia Investment Mandate Amendment (Delivering on Our 2025 Election Commitment) Direction 2025; Consideration | Documents | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to speak not just on this but for an entire generation of Australians who have been locked out of the housing market because of the policies, or, should I say, the lack of policies of...
encoded: I rise to speak not just on this but for an entire generation of Australians who have been locked out of the housing market because of the policies, or, should I say, the lack of policies of previous governments. This generation of young Australians have been locked out not because they lacked ambition but because the system itself has put homeownership increasingly out of their reach. For too long, young people in this country have felt let down by not having any opportunity to purchase their own home. We, on this side of the House, are very cognisant of the challenges they've faced. That's why, since we came to government, we have been making the ability and the opportunity for young people to get into the housing market a priority of this government. That's why, in backing up that cognisance of understanding the challenge, we have made record investments in housing in this country. We've actually backed it up with record investments. From 1 October this year, even more young Australians will be able to realise their dream of homeownership. And that's thanks to this government, the Albanese government, bringing forward our Home Guarantee Scheme to allow first home buyers to buy a home with just a five per cent deposit. You heard it right; it's just a five per cent deposit. We're bringing down all first home deposits from 20 per cent to five per cent this year, from 1 October, because affordable and secure housing should be a human right in this country. It's about dignity. I know it is valid as well that housing in Australia has also been a vehicle for investment and so on, and that's fine. But having a roof over your head, having your own home, is really about basic human dignity. It is the foundation, literally the physical foundation, to be able to then fulfil your potential in the workforce and through the social, economic and the educational opportunities that flow from that foundation. But first and foremost—it's Maslow, if you're familiar with that, Deputy …
date: 2025-08-28T11:07:00+00:00

National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: It's $631. You were close, and that's without health insurance. In Australia, this medication on the PBS will only cost Alex $25. You know where this is going. For pensioners like Alex, it costs...
encoded: It's $631. You were close, and that's without health insurance. In Australia, this medication on the PBS will only cost Alex $25. You know where this is going. For pensioners like Alex, it costs even less. Guess what. It's not actually $25 for Alex. We got it wrong! Alex, because he is a pensioner, he will have his medication frozen at only $7.70 until 2030. That's much better than $631, isn't it? Lucky for Alex, he doesn't need to afford health insurance to pay for his medicines, because in this country, in Australia, Medicare is for all. It is for all Australians. This is why the Australian people are so passionately committed to Medicare. It is something that is iconic. Those on the opposition benches just love criticising the PM when he pulls out his Medicare card and so on. But guess what. The Australian people know the importance of that card. When they see that card, they understand what it means for them, their families and their health care. This is why it's so important and we're so committed to it. We will continue to make sure affordable medicines are available for those who need them most. This is why the Labor Party is the party for all Australians. There is real, tangible relief for every Australian who is deciding what scripts they can refill this week. This relief comes through these reductions. We will continue to ensure that no-one has to decide between their health or putting food on the table. Frankly, that should not be a choice that Lucinda, Alex or any Australian should have to make. While the opposition talk a lot, on this side of the House, we, the government, deliver. This is what this second term is about: delivering on our election commitments to the Australian people on the things that matter to them and will give them a better life. This is one of those commitments that we are meeting. We are making medicines more affordable for every Australian. We haven't just cut the cost of PBS scripts to $25; that's just one great thing. This amen…
date: 2025-08-27T11:35:00+00:00

National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I heard a hundred. It's actually $968. If ever we needed proof about the brilliance and importance of the PBS as something that's critical to our healthcare system in Australia, there it is....
encoded: I heard a hundred. It's actually $968. If ever we needed proof about the brilliance and importance of the PBS as something that's critical to our healthcare system in Australia, there it is. Thanks to the Albanese Labor government's massive investment into the PBS, families like Lucinda's will have certainty around the cost of medication moving forward. I also met on another occasion a retiree by the name of Alex. In Alex's older years, he's developed high blood pressure. High blood pressure actually affects about 42 per cent of Australians over the age of 75. If Alex was living in the US and his blood pressure went up, and it would go up because of the politics there, his high blood pressure medication would cost—I'm going to try asking again. Does anyone know how much this would cost him in the US?
date: 2025-08-27T11:35:00+00:00

National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I don't want to know! The member for Wannon was probably wandering around, listening to rock music or something like that. It was a long time ago, 2004. I can tell you times have changed a lot....
encoded: I don't want to know! The member for Wannon was probably wandering around, listening to rock music or something like that. It was a long time ago, 2004. I can tell you times have changed a lot. We don't want to, necessarily, roll back the clock. I don't think the member for Lyons, the member for Wannon or I want to roll back the clock; we enjoyed the experiences we had in the last 20 years. But guess what we do want to roll back the clock on? PBS medicines. That's what we want to roll the clock back on. We could be in a time machine here in this parliament. We could go back in time to the cost of PBS medicines back in 2004. Isn't that amazing? Jules Verne would be very proud of us here at the Australian parliament. So we're setting the price of PBS medicines to a figure of $25. We remember, but some people might not have even been born in 2004. In all seriousness, since we formed government, Labor have provided Australians with the largest cut to PBS medicine prices in the history of the PBS. Thanks to our $689 million investment into the PBS, we have brought down the cost of medicines from $42.50 in January 2023 to just $25 by the beginning of next year. That's remarkable. Making cheaper medicines even cheaper is our way of providing real solutions—real outcomes—to easing the cost-of-living pressures felt by all Australians. Unlike those who sit across from us, we are delivering on our promise to bring down the cost of medicines. It doesn't matter whether you live in metropolitan cities or the most rural areas of our vast country; you too will be able to afford the medicines you need most when you need them. I've been doorknocking around my electorate of Wills a fair bit, even after the election as well, just saying g'day to constituents. I've heard firsthand how cost-of-living pressures are affecting my constituents. On the doors, I met with a woman, a mum of four, by the name of Lucinda. Lucinda described to me how her son had recently been diagnosed with epileps…
date: 2025-08-27T11:35:00+00:00