Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Yet again, we mark another chapter in our nation's history books: the chapter where the health of the nation is strengthened—a chapter focused on health care for all Australians and not just some. The Albanese government is making the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago. Over $8.5 billion is being invested into Medicare to make sure that patients can get the care that they need when they need it. It is also supporting our Australian doctors—our Australian general practitioners—the backbone of our health workforce.

This isn't just a commitment for those practices and for those GPs; it is making sure that GPs can focus on what they do, and that is preventive primary health care. It is making sure that preventive health measures are put in place so that these chronic diseases don't spiral out of control, aren't exacerbated and don't require an emergency department admission. It is making sure that hypertension remains low and that cholesterol remains low so it doesn't become a heart attack or a stroke. That is this government's focus.

This government's focus is to make sure that we are funding bulk-billing and that we are sustaining the beating heart that is our healthcare system: bulk-billing.

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