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

What happens in this place matters. What programs we fund, what laws we pass and what decisions we make all have the potential to change lives for the better. When it comes to Medicare, I'm so proud that this Labor government has worked hard to make Medicare better each and every day since we were elected in 2022.

In October last year Healthdirect listed nine bulk-billing general practices in Bennelong. Today's data shows that there are 18 fully bulk-billed practices in Bennelong. Now we all know that the member for Hume has been doing the numbers lately, and he told me that 18 is double what it was in Bennelong only three months ago. One in three practices in Bennelong now fully bulk-bill meaning free care for those who need to see a GP.

Australians rely on Medicare every single day, and most of us expect health care to be accessible when we need it. But there are some in this place who don't think the same. Never forget what the Liberals and the Nationals do to Medicare when they take government. Last time, they cut $50 million from hospital funding and they froze the Medicare rebate for six long years. Labor understands that Medicare is in Australia's DNA, so be it for Medicare urgent care clinics, Medicare mental health centres or more bulk-billing practices, we'll always strengthen it.

See this speech in context