Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business said, 'So what?' about one of her constituents being able to be seen, treated and discharged within half an hour of presenting at the Elizabeth urgent care clinic. I think that sums up everything we already knew about the opposition. We know they haven't seen a Medicare item they don't want to slash. They haven't seen a primary care budget they haven't wanted to put a GP tax on—remember that? Well, this government is different. We are big supporters of Medicare. We invest in Medicare.

It is a new model of care, despite what those opposite are shouting, and it is targeted to low-acuity, out-of-hours care for Australians who might otherwise have a long wait in an emergency department. We know nearly a third of the patients being seen by urgent care clinics have been under 15 years of age. Nearly a third have visited on the weekend, and on weekdays more than one in five have taken place after six o'clock. (Time expired)