Madeleine King (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Northern Australia) | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is delivering record funding for the Rockingham and Kwinana region. We're investing over $550 million in significant road upgrades to Anketell Road, including an overpass at the Rockingham Road intersection, which means it'll be easier and quicker for all the workers, and the truckies and their freight, to get in and out of the all-important Kwinana Industrial Area. Now, that's really good news for all the workers—the thousands of WA workers—in Kwinana, because that industry has been the backbone of the Western Australian economy since it first got started in the fifties, and this multimillion-dollar investment will ensure that the Kwinana Industrial Area remains the driver of a future made in Australia.

This Labor government is delivering bulk-billing GP practices right across Kwinana and Rockingham. There are now 15 medical practices across those two towns that fully bulk-bill your GP appointments. Labor believes in Medicare, and we invest in Medicare so that the communities of Brand can get the health care they deserve.

Recently I visited the Waikiki GP Super Clinic and the Rockingham Medical and Dental Centre, both of which are now fully bulk-billing practices thanks to the Labor government. I met with Dr Kiran Puttappa and Practice Manager Keely Clapton at the Waikiki GP Super Clinic, and I thank them and their team for the fantastic work they do for their community. I also want to thank the head of operations, Catrina Rippon, and Practice Manager Jackie King at the Rockingham Medical and Dental Centre for their commitment to providing quality health care for families right across Rockingham. And I want to thank all the GPs and all the staff and workers at those practices right across the suburbs of Rockingham and Kwinana for the work they do for their community. These are vital services, and the importance of providing free and quality health care for the community cannot be overstated.

Last week I took part in the sod turning of the St Pat's housing project in Kwinana with WA premier Roger Cook, state Minister for Housing and Works, John Carey, and my friend Kwinana mayor Peter Feasey. This is a major investment in the Kwinana community. The Albanese Labor government is putting $3.8 million to this important project through the social and affordable housing investment fund, and I want to thank my friend and colleague Minister Clare O'Neil for her leadership in getting more Aussies into their own homes. Together with the Cook Labor government in Western Australia and St Pat's, we are delivering 26 new homes for those in need. This is an example of two great Labor governments working with an excellent community based organisation to get things done for the Kwinana community. I want to thank Michael and the whole St Pat's team for the wonderful work they do, not only in Rockingham and Kwinana but right across Perth's southern suburbs, looking after people in need.

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