Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) | Hansard source

In my electorate of Bennelong, just like in many across our country, our community is struggling with the costs of living. In and amongst that, of course, I've had countless constituents approach me to raise their concerns about the increased costs of seeing a doctor, and I understand why. I vividly recall a time when visiting a doctor was free. But now, in Bennelong, like most communities, gap fees of $30, $40, $50 and even up to $80 have become the norm. In my adult life, seeing a doctor has gone from being free to being $80. In the past decade, the freeze on Medicare rebates imposed by the Liberal-National government has forced doctors to seek alternative means of covering costs, leading to the normalisation and proliferation of gap fees. These fees now place immense strain on families who have already been grappling with the rising costs of living. In that time, we've witnessed the erosion of our healthcare system with increasing out-of-pocket expenses and growing gaps in medical coverage.

We cannot ignore that nearly a million Australians are forced to forego essential health services and medicines every year due to these costs. This is an unacceptable reality and one that the new government is committed to addressing. Our actions thankfully speak louder than our words. We are committed to rebuilding general practice, and, after nine years of cuts and neglect by the former government, we are resolute in continuing to make Medicare stronger for all Australians. The historic investments announced in the first two Albanese budgets are unparalleled as we are tripling the bulk-billing incentive, the most significant increase in its 40-year history. This move will benefit over five million children and their families, along with more than seven million pensioners and concession cardholders, making it easier for them to see a bulk-billed GP. This unprecedented increase will provide benefit to an estimated 67,000 people in my electorate of Bennelong. The 2023-24 budget has delivered much-needed support, totalling around $6.1 billion, into general practice and introduced reforms to empower GPs. This includes the $3½ billion in bulk-billing incentives, which I've just mentioned. This will ease the rising cost-of-living pressures for millions of Australians. Moreover, we are investing in a diverse health workforce with targeted scholarships and incentives to encourage more health workers to serve in regional and rural areas, addressing the healthcare disparities that exist in our regions.

A crucial part of our focus is on making medicines cheaper and more accessible for those with ongoing health conditions. From 1 September, around 36,000 members of my community in Bennelong and over six million Australians across the country will benefit from cheaper medicines, with 60-day prescriptions for a range of medicines. This initiative means that individuals with a Medicare card buying those medicines will save up to $180 a year while concession card holders will save about $43.80 per eligible medicine. It's a significant step forward in relieving the financial burden on households while ensuring that their health needs are met. This measure, combined with the steps we have already taken by reducing the PBS co-payment for anyone with a Medicare card to $30 down from $42, will help put $130 million back into the pockets of hardworking Australians.

I enjoy receiving updates on how much this measure has been taken up by my community in Bennelong. Already since the announcement of that policy, locals have saved almost $1 million on over 81,000 scripts handed out in Bennelong. The significance of these investments and initiatives cannot be overstated. They're more than just policies; they represent a genuine commitment by this government to fix Medicare after the decade of neglect from those opposite. By rebuilding general practice, tripling the bulk-billing incentive and making medicines more affordable, we are putting health care back within reach of those who need it most. It's not just about addressing immediate needs; it's about investing in our long-term wellbeing and our population.

Our government's commitment to Medicare is unwavering, and we are determined to make health care more accessible and more affordable for all Australians no matter where you live. This is not just about talking; it's about the action that we've delivered now in two budgets. Labor created Medicare and will always act in its best interest.

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