Emma Comer (Petrie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor built Medicare, and we'll always fight to strengthen it. When you're sick, seeing a doctor shouldn't be a struggle. That's why our government is delivering the single largest investment in Medicare ever, expanding bulk-billing so more Australians can see a GP for free. For the first time, we're boosting payments to practices that bulk-bill every payment, helping deliver 18 million bulk-billed visits each year. From Saturday, locals in Deception Bay will be able to access fully bulk-billed care thanks to the Deception Bay doctors taking up these incentives. I'd like to thank this clinic for its commitment to providing the community with accessible health care. By 2030, nine in 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed. This means affordable and accessible for every Australian, right where they live.

We're also delivering on mental health. Fifty new Medicare mental health centres are now open across the country. I spoke to the team at the new Redcliffe centre today, and they are thrilled by how many locals will now be able to access the health care that they need.

Finally, I'm delighted to announce the Deception Bay Staying Deadly headspace centre will open in December this year. This will be the first headspace service in Australia designed for First Nations people, their families and their friends. Operated by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, this centre will offer culturally appropriate community led support.

We're investing in your health, your community and your future so that every Australian can get the care they need when they need it.