Libby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Summer is fast approaching. For most, it means time with friends, family and loved ones. Summer also gives us all an opportunity to reflect on the year that's been and the one that's coming. In May this year, the Albanese government returned to Canberra with a strengthened mandate—to continue to work to support Australians who are doing it tough, to keep building the infrastructure our communities deserve and to strengthen the services many people need. One of those services is Medicare. We've now made the biggest investment in the history of Medicare, $8.5 billion, to help ensure more Australians get bulk-billed so all they need is their Medicare card not their credit card. We're also supporting GPs, with incentives flowing to all practices that bulk-bill every single patient.

Working alongside our investment in bulk-billing is our commitment to expand the Medicare urgent care clinic network right across the nation. In my region, we have the Belmont clinic, which continues to go from strength to strength. And soon, within weeks, Torquay will also be home to an urgent care clinic. This will mean less pressure on our emergency departments in Geelong and access to quality GP services across the busy upcoming holiday period—urgent care close to home for people right across the Surf Coast. This has been worth fighting for. It'll be open extended hours, seven days a week. This work is changing lives.

So too is our infrastructure pipeline, particularly in my electorate of Corangamite. This year we hit milestones in some of the more transformative projects across Victoria. From Armstrong Creek Sports Centre to Surf Coast aquatic and health centre and stage 2 of the Barwon Heads Road, we have some great projects now under construction. One of these projects will make a particularly positive impact for young people in Armstrong Creek, with work now underway to deliver a permanent headspace on the Surf Coast Highway. This new facility will be right near the new sports centre, library and shopping centre, and it will be easily accessible via public transport with bus stops right there, next door.

We know how important headspace is for young people right across the nation. Since coming to government in 2022, we've put a real focus on supporting headspace to make sure young people get the supports they need to thrive and live fulfilling lives. We know that nearly half of young Australians are experiencing high levels of psychological distress, and that's why we're backing headspace.

It's also part of the reason why we're supporting sports clubs right across my electorate to build the infrastructure they need so that more young people, particularly women, can get involved in local sport. We know sport brings people together. It offers an opportunity for people, young and old, to rally around each other, to get through hard times and to have fun.

But for that to work, sports clubs need infrastructure that's inclusive. This summer we're kicking off works on female-friendly upgrades to Spring Creek Recreational Reserve in Torquay with better changerooms so the footy and cricket clubs can better embrace the hundreds of young women keen to get involved in traditionally male sports. Our government has committed to delivering this upgrade. We've put in $700,000 to make this happen, and we're delivering.

We are also doing some work with our communities to achieve some great things, like strengthening services to support the health and wellbeing of Australians. Closely linked to that is building the infrastructure that people need to bring them together. We're also giving Australians, young and old, the opportunity to thrive, succeed and lead safe and fulfilling lives with changes to our aged care system.

To my communities across the Surf Coast Bellarine and Geelong region: thank you for your support this year. Stay safe and enjoy the summer. Remember to thank our surf lifesavers and our emergency service workers and ensure that, when you go into one of our magnificent businesses, you actually treat staff respectfully, particularly over the busy season ahead. To all those who are working when the rest of us are enjoying time with family: I wish you well. Have a great festive season. To my staff and my fellow MPs across the chamber: I wish you all the very best and a safe and happy time. I hope everyone gets the break that we need.