Kara Cook's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-05T22:06:04+00:00
items: Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
items: Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence | Statements | House debates
items: Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Ovarian Cancer | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Medicare | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Environment, Cybersafety, Health Care | Statements | House debates
items: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women | Statements by Members | House debates
items: United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women | Motions | House debates
items: Low-Income Superannuation Tax Offset | Motions | House debates
items: Medicare | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: World Teachers Day, Gumdale State School, Kidney Disease | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Albanese Government | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Albanese Government | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: Bonner Electorate: World Mental Health Day | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Housing | Private Members' Business | House debates

Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
type: item
description: What would be truly reckless is doing nothing, which is exactly what we see from the other side—nothing, no policy, no ideas. They don't even know who their leader is anymore! Let's talk...
encoded: What would be truly reckless is doing nothing, which is exactly what we see from the other side—nothing, no policy, no ideas. They don't even know who their leader is anymore! Let's talk about what Labor is delivering, and let's start with health. Labor has delivered 120 urgent care clinics so Australians can get free walk-in care when they need it, closing the gap without paying any out-of-pocket fees. Locally, in my community of Bonner, we have seen not one but two Medicare urgent care clinics in the last two months. The Carina-Carindale and the Capalaba urgent care clinics are now open. We've delivered 51 Medicare mental health clinics and 41 more are on the way, with 10 to come in Queensland alone, because mental health care should not depend on your postcode or your bank balance. We've strengthened Medicare with $25 PBS medicines—real relief every single time someone walks into a pharmacy, saving Australians more than $200 million a year. In my electorate of Bonner, that's $14.2 million saved since 2023. These aren't abstract policies; they're fewer dollars at the counter, they're early intervention and they're peace of mind for all Australians. Under Labor, Australians with student debt have received a 20 per cent reduction, wiping an average of $5,500 off what they owe—21,000 people with student debt in Bonner are now better off. That's money back in the pockets of nurses, teachers, social workers and small-business owners. That's relief that flows straight into the economy and straight into household budgets. All of these were, shamefully, opposed by those opposite. Let's talk about housing. Labor is helping first home buyers get a foot in the door with five per cent first home deposits—not a handout, but a hand up. In Queensland alone, more than 50,000 people have taken up this opportunity—50,000 Queenslanders who are now homeowners or on their way to becoming one, including hundreds in Bonner. Many of those, I'm sure, are also small-business owners. If emp…
date: 2026-02-05T15:33:00+00:00

Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
type: item
description: We know that Australians are doing it tough, including small business, and I want to thank the Minister for Small Business for setting out so clearly all that we have done to deliver for small...
encoded: We know that Australians are doing it tough, including small business, and I want to thank the Minister for Small Business for setting out so clearly all that we have done to deliver for small business in this country. We know that families are juggling bills, students are worrying about debts, renters and first homebuyers are feeling locked out and people are making impossible choices about their health. When Australians are under pressure, this parliament and this minister have a choice: we can step up and deliver relief, or we can stand back, point fingers, call people names and play politics. This Labor government and our small business minister have chosen to step up and deliver. We have heard today all she has delivered in such a short amount of time for small businesses in this country. Yet, day after day, the opposition stands up in this chamber and calls and calls cost-of-living relief 'reckless', and today is no different with the wording of today's MPI—reckless. Well, if helping small businesses is reckless, if helping Australians see a doctor when they're sick is reckless, sign me up. If easing pressure on students, families and first home buyers is reckless, sign me up. If backing Australians through a global cost-of-living crisis is reckless, then this side of the House is proudly guilty.
date: 2026-02-05T15:33:00+00:00

Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence | Statements | House debates
type: item
description: Six women have been murdered in the first six weeks of 2026. This statistic demands more than reflection; it demands action. When it comes to violence against women, the evidence is already...
encoded: Six women have been murdered in the first six weeks of 2026. This statistic demands more than reflection; it demands action. When it comes to violence against women, the evidence is already clear. Frontline workers, advocates and victims-survivors have told us time and time again that they do not need more reports. We need to implement what we know already works. Last year the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner reported that there are more than 1,000 recommendations from at least eight major inquiries and reviews. Labor acted quickly. National Cabinet commissioned a rapid review at the request of the Prime Minister, and that work is now being implemented. Across the country, there are 583 initiatives under way to prevent, respond to and heal family, domestic and sexual violence. Of those initiatives, 122 are Commonwealth led, backed by a $4 billion investment from this Labor government. These initiatives are publicly reported on and transparent. The evidence is clear. The priority must be delivery. That's why Labor is moving forward with consultation on the second action plan under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, co-designed with frontline workers and with victims-survivors at its centre. Labor is delivering real investment and real action that saves women's lives. Labor knows there is more work to do, but we are committed to ensuring we can do all we can to stop women being murdered in our country.
date: 2026-02-05T13:37:00+00:00

Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: I rise to speak in support of the Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025, legislation that goes to the core of access, fairness and social cohesion in our country. Australia is proudly a...
encoded: I rise to speak in support of the Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025, legislation that goes to the core of access, fairness and social cohesion in our country. Australia is proudly a multicultural nation. One in three Australians were born overseas, in all corners of the earth—all contributing to our rich and vibrant country. Hundreds of languages are spoken in homes, workplaces and communities across Australia. But multiculturalism cannot exist in name alone. It must be backed by practical systems that ensure people can engage with government, health care, education and the justice system in a language that they understand. This bill does exactly that. Under the Whitlam Labor government in 1973, Australia became the first country in the world to provide a telephone interpreting service to ensure that new Australians with limited English proficiency could navigate our government systems and programs and participate fully in our society. This service laid the foundation for what we now know as the Translating and Interpreting Service, or TIS National, within the Department of Home Affairs. This bill continues our commitment, as the Albanese Labor government, to give legislative authority for TIS National to continue its vital work in delivering translating and interpreting services that Australians rely upon. Currently, TIS National provides translating and interpreting services to agencies across all levels of government, to the private sector and for individuals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The telephone service ensures that emergency services, hospitals, health services, courts, police and frontline government agencies can communicate with people with limited English proficiency at any time, in any circumstance. Alongside telephone services, TIS National provides remote interpreting services via video, and also on-site interpreting services. It operates the Free Interpreting Service, which supports doctors, pharmacists, unions, real estate agen…
date: 2026-02-04T17:39:00+00:00

Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to speak in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025, a reform that goes to the heart of access, efficiency and fairness in our...
encoded: I rise today to speak in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025, a reform that goes to the heart of access, efficiency and fairness in our healthcare system. Nurses and midwives play a vital role in Australia's healthcare system. Across the country, there are more than 54,000 enrolled nurses, 345,000 registered nurses and more than 2½ thousand nurse practitioners employed. There are also more than 300,000 midwives providing vital care for more than 300,000 women each and every year. Nurses alleviate suffering and support recovery. They foster life from the start and uphold dignity at the end of life. They are highly skilled and educated. However, they are currently underutilised in primary care. This bill changes that. It delivers upon Labor's commitment to support more Australians and their health by enabling designated registered nurses to prescribe. I know many in my electorate of Bonner will benefit from this change with better access for affordable medicines when they need it most. GPs are managing rising demand, as we know, and emergency departments are overcrowded. We know that too many Australians are waiting longer than they should for the care and medicines that they need. In many cases, those delays are not caused by any lack of clinical skill but by outdated restrictions on who can be authorised to prescribe. This bill amends the National Health Act 1953 to allow a registered nurse endorsed against the registration standard to be an authorised prescriber and to enable them to prescribe certain medications that can be supplied under the PBS and attract the Commonwealth subsidy. The bill also amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 to include registered nurses to enable review of the provision of their prescribing services by the Professional Services Review Scheme. Amendments to the National Health Act 1953 will enable prescriptions written by designated registered nurse prescribers to be subsidised und…
date: 2026-02-04T18:18:00+00:00

Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
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description: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering a cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy system for Australia? What are the...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering a cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy system for Australia? What are the impacts of Labor's delivery on Australian households, and how does this compare with previous approaches?
date: 2026-02-04T15:25:00+00:00

Ovarian Cancer | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: The member for Parkes is a hard act to follow. Today is World Cancer Day, and this month is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. This morning, I and many of my colleagues in this place attended an...
encoded: The member for Parkes is a hard act to follow. Today is World Cancer Day, and this month is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. This morning, I and many of my colleagues in this place attended an event hosted by Ovarian Cancer Australia, where we heard directly from women and families living with the reality of a disease that is too often overlooked. Their stories are a powerful reminder of why greater awareness and action matters. Today I want to raise awareness of this horrific disease that around 1,900 Australian women are diagnosed with each year. Although it is the ninth-most common cancer in females, ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death. Survival remains low. Two in three women are diagnosed at advanced stages, and less than half of those diagnosed survive beyond five years. This survival rate has barely changed in 50 years. That's why the Albanese government is backing ovarian cancer research through targeted funding and expanded access to affordable medicines on the PBS. This includes $386,000 for the TRACKFORWARD project, and the government is also ensuring women are supported with treatments such as zejula and lynparza medications, improving options, outcomes and access for women who need it most. More than 300 women each year in Australia will now not be faced with more than $100,000 for the cost of these medications; they are now listed on the PBS at a cost of just $25. Labor is delivering for women today and every day. (Time expired)
date: 2026-02-04T13:44:00+00:00

Medicare | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Today I want to talk about a clear choice in Australian politics: delivery versus division. In the last two months, Labor has delivered not one but two Medicare urgent care clinics to service my...
encoded: Today I want to talk about a clear choice in Australian politics: delivery versus division. In the last two months, Labor has delivered not one but two Medicare urgent care clinics to service my community of Bonner and the surrounding electorates. The Capalaba and Carindale urgent care clinics are now open seven days a week, fully bulk-billed, and taking pressure off our emergency departments. All you need is your Medicare card, not your credit card, to receive quality urgent care, thanks to Labor delivering for all Australians. This didn't happen by accident; it happened because Labor believes in Medicare, and we're rebuilding it after a decade of neglect by those opposite. While Labor is rolling out urgent care clinics across the country and delivering more bulk-billed GPs and cheaper medicines, those opposite are divided and divisive. They can't agree on a leader, let alone a health policy. Australians deserve better than chaos and culture wars. They deserve care. Labor is strengthening Medicare, expanding urgent care and delivering practical solutions for communities like mine in Bonner. That's the difference: Labor delivers; those opposite divide.
date: 2026-02-03T13:59:00+00:00

Environment, Cybersafety, Health Care | Statements | House debates
type: item
description: This week is a landmark moment for Australia's environment and our future prosperity. Tomorrow the Albanese government's historic environmental law reforms, the most significant overhaul of our...
encoded: This week is a landmark moment for Australia's environment and our future prosperity. Tomorrow the Albanese government's historic environmental law reforms, the most significant overhaul of our national environmental laws in 25 years, will pass in this parliament. These reforms will deliver what Australians have long called for: stronger protections for our environment and faster, clearer decision-making for the projects our country needs, such as housing, renewable energy and critical minerals. This means there will be a new national environmental protection agency, Australia's first independent environmental regulator, ensuring stronger compliance and enforcement. It means there will be national environmental standards—clear, consistent rules to protect the environment across the country. It means there will be a crackdown on high-risk land clearing by the removal of outdated exemptions so all industries will play by the same rules. It also means greater transparency, with major projects required to disclose emissions and emission reduction plans. It also means water protections being maintained for coal and gas projects. And, for business and communities, it means faster decisions through a new streamlined assessment pathway; less duplication, with improved agreements between federal and state governments; and regional planning to give certainty with clear-go and no-go zones. I'm proud to support reforms that protect what's precious, unlock economic opportunity and build a stronger, more sustainable Australia for future generations. We also know that there is no going back to a world without technology. The internet has given us a wealth of knowledge that can be used for good. Unfortunately, social media has often not been social at all. It's been harnessed as a tool for bullies. It's created spaces for peer pressure. It's been an avenue for scammers. Worst of all, it's been a tool for online predators targeting our most vulnerable. Seven in 10 young Australians …
date: 2025-11-27T17:33:00+00:00

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: () (): Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Today also marks the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender based violence. In 90 seconds, here are...
encoded: () (): Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Today also marks the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender based violence. In 90 seconds, here are 16 things Labor has delivered to keep women and children safe: (1) invested more than any Australian government ever, more than $4 billion, including for front-line services; (2) made the living against violence payment permanent—$5,000 to help women leave abusive relationships; (3) invested $1.2 billion for emergency and transitional housing; (4) legislated 10 days of paid domestic and family violence leave; (5) invested $3.9 billion in the new national access to justice partnership, including an extra $800 million for family violence and legal services; (6) introduced legislation to make sure that our social security system cannot be weaponised by perpetrators of abuse; (7) reformed the family law system; (8) worked with states and territories to improve criminal justice responses to sexual violence; (9) invested $1 million to update the national framework for action to prevent alcohol-related family violence; (10) taken action to deal with high-risk perpetrators, investing over $82 billion; (11) invested $81 million for services like child-specific counselling; (12) launched an inquiry into domestic, family and sexual related suicide; (13) legislated the higher national education code to prevent and respond to gender based violence; (14) implemented all the recommendations of the Respect@Work report; (15) legislated a positive duty for employers; (16) made it illegal to— (Time expired)
date: 2025-11-25T13:56:00+00:00

United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women | Motions | House debates
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description: Tomorrow is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and it also marks the start of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. Labor stands with the...
encoded: Tomorrow is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and it also marks the start of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. Labor stands with the millions of women and children whose lives have been shaped by fear, coercion and abuse. Ending gender-based violence is not aspirational; it is urgent, it is necessary and it is achievable. Before entering parliament, I spent my career working with victims-survivors as a domestic violence lawyer, as a founder of Australia's first dedicated domestic violence law firm, as the CEO of Basic Rights Queensland and as principal lawyer at Women's Legal Service Queensland. I've sat in court where I have seen 90 domestic violence matters a day, I've seen the intergenerational impact of abuse and I've supported women navigating complex systems at the very moment their lives were at risk. I bring their voices into my work every day, but especially during these 16 days of global advocacy. The Albanese Labor government has delivered the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and their Children, a blueprint to end violence in one generation. Labor has backed this plan with over $4 billion for prevention services, housing and long-term change. We've legislated 10 days of paid domestic violence leave; invested $1 billion in crisis and transitional housing, including 24 new homes in my electorate of Bonner, in Wynnum Manly and Mount Gravatt; we've made the leaving violence payment permanent, giving women escaping abuse up to $5,000; and we've acted to prevent government debts being weaponised, because financial abuse affects 43 Australian women every hour. That is what systemic change looks like. But today I want to talk about one of the most dangerous and least understood forms of gender-based violence: non-fatal strangulation. It is not a minor assault. It is not a moment of loss of control. It is a red-flag predictor of homicide. When a woman is strangled by a partner, even once, her risk …
date: 2025-11-24T17:52:00+00:00

Low-Income Superannuation Tax Offset | Motions | House debates
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description: Every Australian worker deserves two simple things: to keep more of what they earn and to retire with dignity. But for too long low-income workers—those keeping our cafes running, caring...
encoded: Every Australian worker deserves two simple things: to keep more of what they earn and to retire with dignity. But for too long low-income workers—those keeping our cafes running, caring for our elderly and cleaning our schools and hospitals—have been left behind. The Albanese Labor government is fixing that. The low-income superannuation tax offset, the LISTO, exists to make sure low-income earners don't pay more tax on their super contributions than they do on their wages. It's automatic, it's fair and it's essential. Under the Liberals, it was frozen for eight long years. Labor is changing that. From 1 July 2027, we will increase the LISTO from $310 to $810 and lift the income eligibility threshold from $37,000 to $45,000. This means low-income workers will finally receive a fair tax concession on their super. This change will benefit 1.3 million Australians, with an average boost of $410 to their super. That's around $15,000 extra at retirement. In Bonner alone, over 7½ thousand workers will keep an extra $415 a year. That's the barista in Belmont, the hairdresser in Hemmant and the cleaner in Carindale—real workers keeping more of their own money. What did those opposite do when they had the chance to support workers in their retirement? The answer is nothing. The LISTO remained frozen for eight long years. Wages went backwards for five consecutive quarters. Under Labor, we now have the strongest annual real wages growth in five years and the longest period of real wages growth above 0.7 per cent in a decade. We've legislated to protect penalty rates because workers rely on them. Only Labor backs workers. The coalition never have. Economic inequality is gender inequality. Women face higher health costs, carry more unpaid care and retire with less super. More than 750,000 additional Australians with income between $37,000 and $45,000 will now become eligible for LISTO, including more than 450,000 women. Almost 500,000 Australians with income below $37,000 who we…
date: 2025-11-24T16:57:00+00:00

Medicare | Private Members' Business | House debates
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description: I love holding mobile offices in my electorate of Bonner. I recently met with Garry at my mobile office at Mount Gravatt Westfield, in my electorate. Garry had lots of things he wanted to talk...
encoded: I love holding mobile offices in my electorate of Bonner. I recently met with Garry at my mobile office at Mount Gravatt Westfield, in my electorate. Garry had lots of things he wanted to talk about, but at the top of his mind was health care. Bulk-billing, cost of medication—these are the things that people in my community of Bonner care about. We made time to chat some more just last week, and, when I caught up with Garry, I talked to him about the fact that, from 1 November this year, every Australian is eligible for bulk-billing under Labor; around 1,000 GP practices have already indicated that they will become 100 per cent bulk-billing, which is on top of the 1,600 that are already bulk-billing right across our country. I was able to let him know that, in Queensland alone, bulk-billing has increased by 1.2 million additional visits under Labor and that we take a different approach to that of those opposite. That means more doctors, more bulk-billing and more urgent care clinics. That is our approach to strengthening Medicare. I told Garry that no Australian should ever have to choose between buying groceries and seeing a doctor and that the phrase 'I can't afford to see a doctor' is something that should never be spoken in a country like ours. Labor has tripled the bulk-billing incentive, the single biggest investment in Medicare's history. That means more Australians seeing a doctor for free and fewer families putting off the care that they need. Over the next four years, 4,800 clinics across the nation are expected to convert to be fully bulk-billing practices, and it's already started in my electorate of Bonner. In my electorate, we now have 11 fully bulk-billing GP clinics; that's doubled. These include Archer Medical Centre; Doctors On Manly Road; Garden City Family Doctors; Good Health medical centres in Garden City, Mount Gravatt and Carindale; Mansfield Family Practice; Mount Gravatt Family Practice; Realcare Medical Centre; Tingalpa Family Health Care …
date: 2025-11-24T11:31:00+00:00

World Teachers Day, Gumdale State School, Kidney Disease | Constituency Statements | House debates
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description: I love our teachers, and that's not just because my mum was one. On Friday, we celebrated World Teachers Day, and I want to give all of my teachers in Bonner a special shout-out. There are more...
encoded: I love our teachers, and that's not just because my mum was one. On Friday, we celebrated World Teachers Day, and I want to give all of my teachers in Bonner a special shout-out. There are more than 31,000 school students right across Bonner, and their lives are changed and shaped each and every day by our teachers. I thank them for their commitment, service and passion for teaching. I also want to give a big shout-out to the Queensland Teachers Union, who I met with recently. For more than 135 years, they have ensured that teachers voices are heard loud and clear when it comes to ensuring teachers conditions, pay and safety are protected and that their rights promoted. There are 49 schools in Bonner, and in the past six months I have already visited 21 of them. This includes Gumdale State School, who recently hosted Speaker of the House, Milton Dick, as part of the Australian Parliament House National Flag Roadshow. It was very special for the Gumdale State School students to hear firsthand about democracy and the parliament from the Speaker himself, and to unfurl the 12.8-metre by 6.4-metre flag, which has flown above parliament, in their hall. As we know, not all students are able to visit parliament. I certainly didn't have that opportunity growing up in Yeppoon in Central Queensland, which makes it extra special for a piece of the parliament to come to them. Thank you to our Speaker for making the journey to Bonner. Our students absolutely loved it! Finally, 2.7 million Australians are living with signs of kidney disease. That's about one in seven adults. For many, this means staying close to home to ensure access to dialysis machines, usually a few times a week. Holidays, family trips and simple time away from home become extremely difficult. I visited Kidney Health Australia's big red bus, which was right here at Parliament House last week, and saw firsthand the incredible initiative that it is. The bus is a mobile dialysis service. It gives people with kidne…
date: 2025-11-06T12:05:00+00:00

Albanese Government | Questions without Notice | House debates
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description: My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering on its commitments to ease the cost of living, get wages up and strengthen Medicare? Are there any risks...
encoded: My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering on its commitments to ease the cost of living, get wages up and strengthen Medicare? Are there any risks threatening these plans?
date: 2025-11-05T14:04:00+00:00

Albanese Government | Private Members' Business | House debates
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description: It is hard to believe that it's been six months since the election, six months since the people of Bonner put their trust in me and six months since the Albanese Labor government was returned to...
encoded: It is hard to believe that it's been six months since the election, six months since the people of Bonner put their trust in me and six months since the Albanese Labor government was returned to continue building a stronger, fairer and more secure Australia—and what a wonderful six months it has been. In that short time we have achieved a great deal together across our community and, of course, across the nation. Locally in Bonner we've been out every single day, listening, helping and delivering. We held our first-ever Bonner Seniors Expo. Nearly 1,000 seniors came through the doors to connect, learn and celebrate the vital contribution of older Australians. I've also visited 21 schools in the last six months, meeting students, teachers and parents who are passionate about their futures. My office has also supported over 1,500 residents, helping locals to navigate the NDIS, aged care and secure housing and to understand government services. We've hosted mobile offices each and every month to bring government to the people, not the other way round—because that is what being a strong local voice looks like. From Carina to Carindale, Wynnum to Wishart, and Murarrie to Mansfield, we've supported 23 community and sporting clubs with almost $60,000 in volunteer grants, helping groups like the Mt Gravatt Bowls Club, Bayside BMX and the Rochedale Community Garden continue the work that brings our community together. We've also backed another seven local organisations with over $71,000 in funding through the Stronger Communities Program, delivering for groups like BABI Youth and Family Services, Mackenzie State Special School and Wynnum Manly Seagulls. That's what Labor investment looks like—practical, local and life changing. Nationally this government has hit the ground running. We made a promise to the Australian people to keep focused, to stay the course and to keep building a better future, and we're delivering. We've delivered on making health care cheaper by strength…
date: 2025-11-03T19:22:00+00:00

Medicare | Private Members' Business | House debates
type: item
description: Guess what's back again? Bulk-billing is back. Please tell your friends! In Bonner we now have 11 fully bulk-billed GP clinics and counting: Archer Medical Centre; Doctors on Manly Road; Garden...
encoded: Guess what's back again? Bulk-billing is back. Please tell your friends! In Bonner we now have 11 fully bulk-billed GP clinics and counting: Archer Medical Centre; Doctors on Manly Road; Garden City Family Doctors; Good Health medical centres in Garden City, Mt Gravatt and Carindale; Mansfield Family Practice; Mt Gravatt Family Practice; Realcare Medical Centre; Tingalpa Family Health Care Centre; and Yulu-Burri-Ba. This is all thanks to the Albanese Labor government's record investment in Medicare. It's been 40 years since its inception, and we are tripling the bulk-billing incentive. This will mean Australians can see a GP for free and access care when they need it most. This is just the beginning. Over the next four years, we will see around 4,800 GP clinics converted to fully-fledged bulk-billing practices. Nationally, over 1,000 have already signed up. In Queensland we have 1,430 GP practices, and over the weekend we saw a doubling of fully bulk-billed practices. That's 408 across the Sunshine State. This means more bulk-billing doctors for more communities, easing pressure on families. When they need to see a doctor, all they're going to need is their Medicare card, not their credit card. As a member of this Labor government, I am committed to delivering real cost-of-living relief for my constituents in Bonner and to building a fairer and healthier Australia. From the mum from Mansfield to the student from Belmont and the pensioner from Wynnum Manly, more constituents in my electorate of Bonner will be able to see a GP for free. But more good news is on the way. We have opened 90 Medicare urgent care clinics across the country, and 47 more are on the way, including in my electorate. The Carindale Medicare urgent care clinic will be opened in the coming months. The expressions of interest have now closed, and I cannot wait to cut the ribbon on that clinic and open it up to members of my community. This will be the first Medicare urgent care clinic in Bonner. Hu…
date: 2025-11-03T17:46:00+00:00

Medicare | Private Members' Business | House debates
type: item
description: I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.
encoded: I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.
date: 2025-11-03T17:25:00+00:00

Bonner Electorate: World Mental Health Day | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: On World Mental Health Day, I had the pleasure of joining the Wynnum Manly and Districts Men's Shed to celebrate 33 years of the Men's Shed movement across Australia. The Shedder's Big BBQ...
encoded: On World Mental Health Day, I had the pleasure of joining the Wynnum Manly and Districts Men's Shed to celebrate 33 years of the Men's Shed movement across Australia. The Shedder's Big BBQ Breakfast and expo brought our community together over coffee, breakfast and good conversation—a simple but powerful reminder that connection underpins our wellbeing. The event showcased the strength of local partnerships with many community organisations in attendance including the Cancer Council Queensland, Jeff Horn and Bullyproof Australia, Repair Cafe Bayside, It's a Bloke Thing, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, OzFish and Circle of Men. Each plays an important role in promoting health, resilience and belonging within our communities. The Men's Shed movement has long stood as a beacon for men's mental health, a place where men can connect, share skills and support one another. Recently, I also met with the team at TIACS, who are doing incredible work in Brisbane, providing free mental health support for tradies, truckies and blue-collar workers—over 11,000 supports each and every year. Their iconic 'This is a Conversation Starter' shirt has become a symbol of openness and connection, reminding us that starting a simple chat can change and, most certainly, save a life. On World Mental Health Day, it is important that we are reminded of these important community organisations and supports in our local community, and I thank them for all that they do.
date: 2025-10-27T16:35:00+00:00

Housing | Private Members' Business | House debates
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description: I am so proud that the Albanese Labor government has delivered five per cent first-home deposits for every first home buyer from 1 October this year. This change will cut years off the time it...
encoded: I am so proud that the Albanese Labor government has delivered five per cent first-home deposits for every first home buyer from 1 October this year. This change will cut years off the time it takes to save for a first home deposit. It will help Australians into their own home sooner, and, because the government will stand behind these loans, first home buyers will no longer be forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance. That is real relief, and it is making a real difference to first home buyers in my electorate of Bonner and right across the country. I have previously spoken in this place about doorknocking in Wishart during the election campaign. I met a young tradie who had just finished his apprenticeship. He told me, with some despair, that he could not see how he would ever be able to afford a home. He said he had a regular savings plan but he was still only halfway to what he needed for a deposit. I told him about Labor's plan for a five per cent deposit, but, at that time, it was still to come into effect. Today, I am proud to say to him and to so many others like him in my community of Bonner that support is now in place. It means that he and thousands of others like him will be able to buy their first home sooner. They'll be able to begin building equity, and they'll have the security and pride that comes from a home of their own. Before the election, Labor promised to make it easier for Australians to buy their first home, with a deposit of just five per cent. We have delivered on that promise, and we have delivered ahead of schedule. Already, Labor's expanded home guarantee scheme has helped more than 185,000 Australians into home ownership, including 391 people in Bonner. That's 391 individuals and families who will now have a place to call their own, a place to build their lives, raise their children and put down roots in the communities that they love. This program is transformative. For single parents, Labor continues t…
date: 2025-10-27T11:34:00+00:00