Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This government is making the biggest investment in Medicare since it was created more than 40 years ago. Here in the Hunter that means more doctors, more urgent care, cheaper medicines and stronger mental health services for local families. We're investing $8.5 billion to deliver 18 million more bulk-billed GP visits every single year.

By 2030, nine out of ten GP visits will be bulk billed, which is triple what we inherited from those opposite, who froze the rebate and sent bulk-billing off a cliff. Locals are already seeing the difference. Families in Cessnock, Singleton, Lake Macquarie and right through the valley are paying less and getting more. Right here in our backyard, urgent care clinics are up and running in Cessnock, Charlestown and Lake Haven, with Maitland to come very shortly. They are taking the pressure off Singleton, Cessnock, Maitland and the John Hunter hospitals, because people can walk in seven days a week, get free care and avoid hours in the ED. We are building Medicare mental health centres in Cessnock and Muswellbrook plus a bigger and improved headspace centre for Cessnock.

From January, the maximum price of a PBS script will fall to $25. That's the lowest it's been in over 20 years. New South Wales families have already saved more than half a billion dollars on cheaper medicines. Labor is strengthening Medicare, backing mental health, delivering cheaper medicines and giving the Hunter families real cost-of-living relief.

Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to highlight the reality of a health-care crisis unfolding in my electorate of Barker—specifically, in the community of Mount Gambier. The urgent care clinic that the minister promised would ease pressure on our local hospitals has been closed since June, yet, in question time on Monday, the minister stood in the chamber and proudly asserted that all of our nation's 90 urgent care clinics were currently operating. This is simply not true. Either the minister doesn't know or he is not across his brief. Either way, it's unacceptable.

The consequences for my community are dire. All four GP clinics have confirmed they're not taking on new patients. Families can't find a doctor for their children, elderly residents are struggling to manage chronic illnesses and people are left with no primary health-care options. The people of Mount Gambier deserve honesty from this government, and they deserve to access health care. Instead they've been left behind. This is not just a policy failure; it's a betrayal of trust.

Minister, front up to the people of Mount Gambier and tell them that you've failed. Come to Mount Gambier and tell these residents why they've been abandoned. Maybe you could tell them that it's a direct result of your decision, in 2022, to alter the distribution priority areas. Minister, your Prime Minister is fond of saying, 'All you need to access health care is your Medicare card.' In reality, in Mount Gambier, you need to travel hundreds of kilometres to do it. It's not acceptable and the minister knows it.

Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I want to take the opportunity to share the real world, tangible impacts of Labor funded Medicare urgent care clinics in my community of the northern suburbs of Adelaide. Felicity Robertson writes: 'Despite the staff being under significant pressure with many waiting patients, they were kind, compassionate, patient and thorough—all the more important, as my daughter has a disability and can easily feel overwhelmed in a medical environment. This clinic is an invaluable community resource, and I'm very grateful for the care we've received.' Quite frankly, I couldn't have put it better myself.

Jessica Goodwin also writes:

Nurse Paul was absolutely incredible! Making a worried parent feel much better. He was confident, calm & reassuring. Continued to check up on our 2 yr old who came in with a swollen hand as a result of a bite. Got us in first as sons hand was getting worse. Cannot recommend this clinic enough! Fast, reliable and easy! Thank you Paul!

This is what good Labor policy is all about—delivering accessible care via Medicare. We make your health our priority. We are proud of our Medicare urgent care clinics across Australia, and we will continue to support these to make sure that, when you need it the most, you can access the care and support you and your family need.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.