Trish Cook (Bullwinkel, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak on behalf of the people of Bullwinkel on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026. An appropriation bill might not sound terribly exciting at first, but it is one of the most important pieces of legislation that the federal parliament will pass this year. In simple terms, it's the government's budget bill—the legal authority for the government to spend money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Labor's appropriation bill reflects our priorities and our Labor values. It shows us what matters to us most, and these are some of those things: investing in Medicare, aged-care reform, housing, renewable energy, cost-of-living relief and education. The bill gives legal effect to our budget commitments and allows the government agencies to spend the money accordingly. In short, Labor's appropriation bill is the legislation that puts our budget into action, and it authorises government spending in line with the values that I mentioned and others.

I come to this parliament with a range of experiences. I'm a nurse, midwife, occupational health and safety consultant, small-business owner, lecturer in nursing studies at TAFE and Edith Cowan University, community volunteer, shire councillor, PhD candidate, and, now, of course, I'm an MP.

The first half of my career was as a remote-area nurse and midwife in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia. I had the privilege of caring for people in remote Indigenous communities such as Ardyaloon, Lombadina, Bidyadanga and Looma—small Aboriginal communities. It was in these communities that I saw the true impact of a model of health you may be familiar with, what we call the social determinants of health—access to fresh food, local employment, education, housing and connection with country and culture. They're not just abstract ideas; they are real, measurable factors that affect the health and wellbeing of the community. They're not just unique to health; the same principles apply to justice and to mental health. When these social determinants are addressed, people and communities are healthier, safer and more resilient. That's why I am proud to be part of a Labor government committed to improving these social determinants.

I'll speak to three of these issues. Housing, education and health are all priorities because we know that investing in these delivers real outcomes for Australia. Let's start with housing. From 1 October 2025 every first home buyer will be able to purchase a home with just a five per cent deposit, and they won't pay a cent in expensive mortgage insurance. For many young Australians this could shave years off the time it takes to save for a home. For example, somebody buying a $1 million home could do so with just a $50,000 deposit backed by the Albanese government. This is a change that brings hope. Owning a home will no longer be a privilege just for the lucky few or those that have been helped by the bank of mum and dad; it'll be achievable for hardworking Australians across the country. That's the Labor commitment: to give everyone a fair go.

Education is another cornerstone of social investment. We have made fee-free TAFE permanent so Australians can gain the skills they need for a well-paid, secure job. Fee-free TAFE is already helping Australians get ahead while easing cost-of-living pressures. It gives people the opportunity to work in meaningful jobs and give back to the community. We've also cut student debt by 20 per cent, and the Commonwealth practical placement payment provides support for student nurses, teachers, midwives and social workers while they're on their mandatory placements. These programs ensure that our important future workforce can contribute fully and confidently without being burdened by crippling debt.

Of course health is always at the forefront of my mind personally and professionally. The Albanese Labor government went to the last election, in 2022, promising 50 Medicare urgent care clinics. They overdelivered 87 clinics. For this election we promised to open 50 more across Australia, and I'm thrilled that one of them will be in my community in Bullwinkle, in the suburb of Mundaring, to cater for the hills people and regional people nearby. These clinics make it easier for Australians to gain access to urgent care free of charge, taking the pressure off hospital emergency departments and GP clinics. Our goal is for four in five Australians to live within a 20-minute drive of a Medicare urgent care clinic. That's the kind of change that makes a real difference in people's lives.

Alongside that we're delivering the largest investment in Medicare in history. This means 18 million more bulk-billed GP visits every year, giving Australians the confidence to see a doctor without worrying about cost. When someone falls ill, when a parent is concerned about a child or when an older Australian needs ongoing care, access should not be a barrier. Labor created the PBS, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and our commitment extends to these medicines as well. In 2023 we delivered the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, and we're going even further. As of 1 January next year no Australian will pay more than $25 for a PBS prescription. For pensioners and concession card holders we have frozen PBS medicines at $7.70 until 2030—no surprises, no rises, just certainty.

I know from my own life that this is extremely important. Many people on medications simply aren't on just one medication; they're often on multiple medications. It's making a real difference. I became a nurse when I was 18, following in my mother's footsteps, and being a nurse quickly teaches you that affordable medicine can be the difference between seeing somebody get better and somebody ending up in hospital. I've seen people skip doses because the cost is too high, and I've seen the consequences. That's why cheaper medicines aren't just good for the pocket; they're good for health as well.

Health is something very close to my heart and one of the favourite topics when I go doorknocking out in Bullwinkel. One of the most exciting things I talk about is delivering the new Medicare urgent care clinic in Mundaring, but there's also, alongside that, a new Medicare mental health centre in the suburb of Kalamunda, also in the hills of Perth. We've recently set up a Medicare mental health centre in the regional area of Northam. That was opened late last year, and we've seen firsthand how valuable it is for locals. It offers free, walk-in services for people aged 18 and over. It's a safe, welcoming place to access mental health care from qualified professionals. No appointment is needed; no referral is required. You don't even need your Medicare card; you can just walk in seeking help for yourself, supporting a loved one or assisting a patient. That is universal, compassionate care, and it's exactly what we want for Kalamunda and for communities across Bullwinkel and Australia. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and no-one, once again, should face the barriers.

Firsthand life experience also plays a role, and I didn't need surveys or focus groups to see the impact of these services. I had a very personal experience with a Medicare urgent care clinic just last week, so I'll quickly tell you a little bit about that. It's not a prop; it's a legitimate splint on my finger.

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