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

I rise to commend Erina Fair Medical Care on its exemplary medical service for the Central Coast community. In the Central Coast region and across many regional and rural communities in Australia, medical centres are an integral part of towns or villages, providing outstanding care and medical assistance to those who are sick or in need of expert health advice. Erina Fair Medical Care is no exception. They are open seven days a week, from 8 am until 6 pm, and are always welcoming of any returning or new patients to the centre.

I had the privilege of meeting with practice owner, Peter Carr, and centre nurse, Megan Yu, to discuss a range of issues impacting upon the services provided by Erina Fair Medical Care. Mr Carr and Ms Yu raised the critical need for primary health care in Australia to be supported. I understand that this matter requires the federal government's urgent attention, and that's why I am pleased to notify the chamber that, under an Albanese Labor government, we will strengthen Medicare now, and we will strengthen Medicare into the future, starting with the $750 million Strengthening Medicare Fund. There will be two urgent care centres on the Central Coast. If you're too sick for the GP but not sick enough for the emergency department, you will finally have somewhere to go.

Without strong and accessible primary healthcare centres in regional and rural communities, our healthcare system would collapse. I thank all of the hardworking regional and rural primary healthcare centres across this nation.