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

I thank Senator Grogan for the question. I think all Australians acknowledge that health care and access to health care and affordable health care is a No. 1 priority for all of us, and it has been a focus for the Albanese government, and it is a key part of our ability to provide additional cost-of-living support whilst we deal with the inflation challenge across the economy—investments in urgent care clinics, investments in Medicare and tripling of the bulk-billing rate. We're already seeing the good and positive data coming out of that, with more and more Australians being able to access bulk-billing.

Hospitals are an important part too, and we've reached agreement with the states and territories, provided that additional investment and been able to fund that within making sensible provisions for an agreement like that within MYEFO, and it's because of the approach we've taken—to find savings, to reduce waste, to pay down debt, to deliver surpluses, to lower the deficits—that we're allowed to make these important investments. (Time expired)