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

I thank Senator Ananda-Rajah for the supplementary. Well, it's because the government has prioritised investment in and delivered on the things that matter for the Australian people. They care about their health care, they care about Medicare, they care about the price of medicines, they care about Medicare urgent care clinics and they care about getting access to out-of-hours care for non-urgent conditions. That is why we have worked together across the government to find room for these really important investments.

Those opposite criticise spending. They see it as wasteful when you invest in Medicare, when you invest in medicines. We see it in the positions they've taken. They tried to ridicule the Medicare urgent care clinics, until they all started sending letters asking for one in their electorates. I think that was the turning of the tide, when the letters came flooding in: 'Oh, could I have one of those things we don't like?' The Medicare urgent care clinics have been an important part, as have cheaper medicines, and this government will always prioritise Australians' health care. (Time expired)