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29 October 2025

Deputy Speaker, did you know we are making the single largest investment in Medicare ever? From Saturday, we're expanding Medicare so that millions more bulk-billed GP visits will be available every year. As part of this, more local clinics in my electorate of Corangamite and across the nation will be supported if they bulk-bill every single patient. That's good for doctors and it's good for locals. Better access to health care should be a given, and that's why we are acting—so that, no matter where they live, Australians can access free health care with just their Medicare card, because, when you're sick, you shouldn't need to make the choice between paying for groceries or paying for a doctor.

That's also why our urgent care clinics are such a game changer. We've rolled out around 90 across the nation, with around 50 more to come. Locally, we have one in Belmont and one set for Torquay. These clinics take pressure off emergency departments, and they're open seven days a week for extended hours.

We're not stopping there. We're also investing in women's health, with an $800 million package to include more contraceptives and IUDs on the PBS. And, from January, every PBS script will be only $25.

What this all means is better access, lower costs and more choice for Australians when it comes to health. Labor built Medicare, and, under this government, we are strengthening it so that more Australians can see a GP.