Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator McAllister. We on this side of the chamber know how important it is to ensure that Australia has the health workforce we need now and into the future. A strong Medicare and aged-care system only works because of the frontline workers who deliver it. Last month, the Albanese Labor government announced it would expand the Commonwealth prac payment to more frontline health professionals. Minister, can you tell us how the government is strengthening our future health workforce and easing the financial pressure on students studying these important courses and professions?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Smith. Right now, a student training to be a radiographer has to complete more than a year of unpaid placement before they graduate. A student training to be a paramedic, an audiologist or a podiatrist often has to move away from home to complete training. Until now, they've done that all for free while still paying rent. That changes under this government.

We are expanding the Commonwealth prac payment to 10 more frontline health professions. Future psychologists, pharmacists and podiatrists will now get up to $338.60 a week while they train. That's in addition to the teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students who are already receiving it. Think about what it actually means in practice. From next July, a physio student doing a placement at a regional hospital hours from home can better afford petrol or accommodation. An OT student completing their 1,000 hours of placement doesn't have to choose between their degree and their bills. Tens of thousands of students will benefit from this payment, and it builds on what this government has already done on cost of living for students by cutting student debt by 20 per cent.

It matters. These are the people who look after us when we're sick. These are the people who will support Australians with disability. These are the people who will care for older Australians in their own homes, and we need more of them, not fewer. This is what strengthening Medicare actually looks like—making sure that the future generation of health workers can afford to finish their training.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Smith, first supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. I know I've heard from so many young people in my community about the difference that this will make. Not only is the government backing the future health workforce; it's also making sure that we value the workers caring for older Australians right now. This month saw the fifth increase to award wages for nurses providing aged-care services. Minister, how is the Albanese Labor government backing aged-care workers to earn more and keep more of what they earn?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) | Link to this | Hansard source

This month, the Albanese Labor government delivered the fifth wage increase for aged-care nurses, because we believe that aged-care nurses deserve more than gratitude; they deserve fair pay for their essential work. This increase means that, since 2022, a registered nurse on the most common classification will have seen their pay increase by more than $36,000 a year. Better pay for aged-care nurses means that aged-care homes and facilities can attract and retain nurses, delivering higher quality, more consistent care. It tells you everything about those opposite that when this government fixes a historic wage injustice, the Leader of the Opposition's response is to complain that these workers are disproportionately unionised and that they've received hefty pay increases. What a disgrace! (Time expired)

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, it's great to hear how the Albanese Labor government is delivering for healthcare workers now and into the future, providing cost-of-living support for students and workers, and helping Australians to get the care that they need. Can the minister outline whether anything stands in the way of our government's approach?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) | Link to this | Hansard source

Paid prac is fundamentally about supporting hardworking students by paying them to train for their next job. Now, we're extending the same courtesy, the same arrangements to future psychologists, pharmacists and podiatrists that others in this place have extended to themselves. Almost every member of the opposition who doesn't have one foot out the door seems to be doing paid prac at the moment for their next job. Senator Antic's paid prac seems to involve preparing himself for a future in One Nation. Senator McKenzie is doing some paid prac in marketing. She's got very strong views about how One Nation should be spending their advertising budget and in what seats. And, honestly, who knows what the shadow Treasurer is actually training for, but it's certainly not his current role. He's off on Sky explaining that he sees himself as Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. Those opposite are not focused on the Australian people. They are focused on themselves, their own jobs and their future roles elsewhere.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.