Justine Elliot
Richmond · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“I'm very pleased to rise on this matter of public importance. I, like others on our side, do find it very bizarre that the opposition have put this forward because we all remember when the Liberals and Nationals were in government. We all remember the extent of all their cuts—”
“I rise today to speak in support of the establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Crime Stoppers. Earlier this week, I joined my fellow co-chairs, the member for Cowper and the member for Fowler, at the launch of this new parliamentary friends group.”
“At a time when criminal activity continues to evolve from organised crime to cyber related offences and scams, fostering stronger cooperation between communities and law enforcement has never been more important. The true value that Crime Stoppers delivers is absolutely significant.”
“Community safety is something that has been very important to me throughout my entire career. Before entering parliament, I served as a frontline police officer, and, during that time, I saw firsthand how vital information from the public can be in helping police investigate crime, prevent harm and protect our communities.”
“That represents thousands of pieces of information that may otherwise not have reached authorities. The report also identified more than $131 million in avoided harm associated with illicit drugs, more than $50 million in avoided costs linked to reoffending and more than $32 million in law enforcement efficiency gains.”
“Behind every statistic is a person who saw something, heard something or knew something and decided to do something about it. That decision can help prevent harm, protect a victim, disrupt criminal activity or support an investigation.”
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“Rhoda understood the transformative power of culture. She recognised that storytelling is not merely an artistic practice but a means of preserving history, asserting identity and fostering understanding. Through her work, she contributed to a broader national reckoning with Australia's past and present and to a future in which First Nations voices are recognised as central, not peripheral. Rhoda's passing is a profound loss. It's felt not only by her family and close friends but across communities, industries and indeed generations. It leaves a silence where there was once a powerful voice, a voice that spoke truth, created change and brought people together. Indeed, that's the mark of a life well lived—not just what you achieve but what you make possible for others. Whilst her absence is deeply felt, her legacy is everywhere.”
“Her work with major festivals, including as a creative director for the New Year's Eve celebrations from 2008 until 2011, helped elevate First Nations voices into some of the country's biggest stages. And, of course, on the New South Wales North Coast, we were so privileged to benefit from Rhoda's immense talent in showcasing Indigenous culture through events like the Boomerang Festival and Bluesfest. Throughout all of her endeavours and achievements, Rhoda's dedication to sharing and celebrating First Nations culture was central to all of her work. In recognition of her distinguished service to the arts and Indigenous communities, Rhoda was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia. This honour reflected not only her professional achievements but her enduring contribution to the cultural and social fabric of the nation.”
“Rhoda's work not only created space for Indigenous artists and perspectives but also reshaped institutions themselves. Rhoda Roberts was a pioneering force in the development and promotion of Indigenous arts and culture in Australia. She held numerous leadership roles in major cultural institutions and was instrumental in reshaping the way these institutions engage with First Nations artists and communities. Of course, as we know, Rhoda coined the term 'welcome to country' in the 1980s, initially for the arts sector and then indeed for the wider community, an important protocol that is now rightly observed right across the nation. She also worked as a creative director for the Sydney Olympics Awakening ceremony in the year 2000, and was appointed the inaugural head of Indigenous programming at the Sydney Opera House in 2012.”
“She contributed to major national and international projects, and her expertise was sought across government, media and the arts sector, where she provided guidance on cultural policy, programming and community engagement. Many came to know Rhoda through her work in broadcasting, particularly as the first Aboriginal person to host a prime time current affairs show on SBS. At a time when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives were rarely represented in mainstream media, she played a critical role in bringing those voices into the national conversation. She helped to highlight Indigenous perspectives, challenging audiences to listen more deeply and think more honestly about the country we share. Rhoda's work in television and radio was characterised by clarity, integrity and a commitment to truth-telling.”
“I rise tonight to honour the memory and life of Rhoda Roberts AO, a Bundjalung Widjabul Wia-bal elder whose presence, voice and spirit shaped not only the Northern Rivers but the cultural life of the entire nation. Rhoda was born in 1959 and raised on Bundjalung country, where her deep connections to land, culture and community were formed. That connection became the foundation of everything she did. Even as her work took her on to the national and international stages, she remained grounded in where she came from. Rhoda's extensive career spanned several decades and encompassed a wide range of roles across broadcasting, performing arts, cultural policy and community leadership.”
“By providing funding for Australia's only mobile wildlife hospital, our government is helping to ensure they continue to provide that very important care to injured wildlife through surgery, intensive care, X-rays, ultrasound and other facilities so they can continue their amazing work. So I want to say a really big thanks to all the team at Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and a happy travels, Tilly, as you continue around the country. You're doing a great job.”
“They're visiting New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT as I said, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. They're on tour to demonstrate and showcase the mobile capacity to assist wildlife impacted by natural disasters, disease outbreaks and accidents as well. Now, while Matilda is on tour, the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital continues to do their work tirelessly from their permanent base in Lennox Head, which is in my electorate of Richmond, and I'm very pleased to have worked with the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital over many years and also very proud to have delivered on my 2025 election commitment of $2 million for the expansion of operations of the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.”
“I also invited the Minister for the Environment and Water to meet the whole team and see the incredible work they do utilising Australia's only mobile wildlife hospital which operates inside a fantastic custom-built semitrailer. I know many members and senators were able to visit Matilda during that week. It was a wonderful visit, I can report that the Minister for the Environment and Water, who visited, is very fond of Digby, a nine-month-old wombat, and that he was also very impressed also by the terrific volunteers and workers who were nursing Digby back to health after an accident. It is a great example of the incredible work that Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital do. Matilda and the team are on a tour throughout the entire country.”
“Krurungal has a strong track record of working closely with family, friends, support people, carers and other services on behalf of community members to ensure that locals receive culturally appropriate support and their health and wellbeing are addressed in a holistic manner. I'd like to say a very, very big thank you to the chairperson of Krurungal, Aunty Joyce Summers, and the whole team for the vitally important work that they continue to do to help support our local community in accessing services. Thank you so much for welcoming the minister and me last week. Also earlier this month, I had the great pleasure of greeting Matilda , our very own 'local mobile wildlife hospital', as she and her team arrived at Parliament House in Canberra. What a treat that was for everyone.”
“Last week, I invited the Minister for Social Services back to the North Coast to visit Krurungal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Welfare, Resource and Housing and talk with their amazing team about how the Albanese Labor government's increased funding for their organisation will support our local community. Our government has increased emergency relief grant funding for Krurungal by 41 per cent to support them in delivering a range of culturally appropriate community based services. The services include emergency relief and community pathway connector programs as well as supporting individuals with mental health concerns and transitioning to the NDIS and other services.”
“We've heard here in question time from the Prime Minister and from the relevant minister exactly what is going on about this. What I found appalling is that the previous speaker made reference to health. We all remember their previous government when it came to health. They wanted a GP tax. They cut millions from the health budget. They walk in here and have the audacity to lecture us about cost-of-living measures when they made every single cut that hurt Australians. In particular, regional and rural Australians hurt the most under the Liberal and National government. Since we've been in government, we've had a massive range of programs to provide cost-of-living relief when Australians desperately need it. We are working day and night when it comes to the very important issue of fuel security.”
“It's irresponsible and against the Australian interest for both the Liberals and Nationals—and One Nation, in fact; they're all one and the same now, aren't they?—to be spreading falsehoods about fuel security. It is irresponsible to be constantly doing that—for those Australians who are concerned. It's against the interest, particularly of regional Australians too, to be pushing damaging falsehoods just to get some cheap political gain. But I think people are seeing through it and seeing through the fact that it's just cheap political agendas that they have. We're working to ensure that fuel flows at affordable prices as a supply chain comes under pressure and there's a massive increase in demand. We're closely monitoring that situation and working with the states, the territories and industry as well, every single day.”
“This week, we'll be empowering the ACCC by doubling penalties for false and misleading conduct and cartel behaviour—up to $100 million per offence. This government is acting swiftly because of the concerns. There is massive global uncertainty, but this government is acting swiftly because we need to have this in place. We have been indeed working around the clock—looking at all practical options that are available—ever since this conflict began. The opposition is very well aware of this, and, as I said, they've chosen to play politics rather than be productive and get on board team Australia. That's what they should be doing, not playing politics.”
“We have taken very positive action to shore up fuel supply and ensure consumers get a fair go at the petrol pump. We've already boosted fuel supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel and we've unlocked new sources of supply by amending the fuel standards. We've worked with the ACCC to authorise major fuel suppliers to get fuel to where it is needed in the regions and to ramp up fuel price monitoring. We've set up the forums that are really needed for a coordinated response, including convening National Cabinet, tasking the National Coordination Mechanism and establishing the Fuel Security Taskforce. We have immediately done these actions because we know we need to have an absolute focus on this issue.”
“They have no interest in the benefits for Australians, particularly those in regional and rural Australia. Those tax cuts have made a huge difference for those people in regional Australia. Time and time again, we see them voting against the best interests of all Australians. Now, of course, we are all very closely following the events in the Middle East and seeing and feeling the consequences here at home. The longer that conflict goes on, the more significant the impact will be on the global economy and the Australian economy. It is front of mind for the entire government. We are looking to have in place every practical measure required. We're focused on shielding Australians from the worst of the Middle East energy crisis and building our energy resilience.”
“This is a time for bipartisanship. It is a time for everyone to work together, given the global uncertainty that we all face. Instead, we see cheap political games from the Liberals and Nationals yet again. They should be on Team Australia with all of us—all of us on the same page. But I think Australians have come to learn that all we get from the Liberals and Nationals is constant chaos, all the time. But Australians know they can rely on the Albanese Labor government when it comes to cost-of-living relief and when it comes to governing this country in the best interests of all Australians. Today, we were all reminded that it was only a year ago that the Liberals and Nationals voted against tax cuts. No wonder Australians rejected them.”
“I'm very pleased to be speaking on this matter of public importance, particularly to highlight how this government, the Albanese Labor government, governs for all Australians. That's been our commitment since we were elected to government—from day one—particularly when you look at our long list of cost-of-living relief measures, and I will outline them soon. All of those measures were voted against by the Liberals and Nationals. They have consistently voted against every measure we have had for cost-of-living relief for Australians who desperately need it. We have seen that time and time again from them. Now what's really disappointing is that the Deputy Leader of the Nationals puts forward this matter of public importance and plays cheap politics, as we've consistently seen with the issue of fuel security, misleading people all the time.”
“I mentioned the Tweed Heads Urgent Care Clinic as well and my north coast crime prevention plan. As a former police officer, I was very proud to be delivering on my $3 million election commitment—$1 million for each of the three councils. They can then get CCTV, lighting, bollards, whatever's needed for community safety in their region. It's only Labor that delivers for regional and rural Australia.”
“All PBS medicines are $25 or less, and this has made medicines the cheapest they've been in over two decades. So it's only Labor that invests in our regions, that makes a real difference to the lives of people in regional and rural Australia. Of course, all of our cost-of-living measures were opposed by the Liberal and National parties. I can tell you that people in my electorate know that. They know how devastating it is when the Liberals and Nationals are in power and what it means for people in country Australia. It's always us that are making those investments. Of course, on top of all of that, I did have my election commitments as well, which were wonderful in terms of making a difference locally—the $2 million for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.”
“They are seeing massive presentations there, taking the pressure off our local hospitals, and all you need is your Medicare card to get in. As I've said in the House before, another major difference was the reclassification of the town of Murwillumbah under the Modified Monash Model. Under the previous government, Murwillumbah was classified as a city. I don't know if anyone in this chamber has been to Murwillumbah. It's not a city; it is indeed a regional town. We changed that classification so it meant that there was more bulk-billing in Murwillumbah, because there was none under the previous government's classification. We boosted Medicare with $1.8 billion in extra hospital funding. From 1 January, we delivered the biggest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS.”
“When it comes to health care, without a doubt, the difference in my electorate is absolutely massive. First of all, we expanded bulk-billing. In my electorate there are 26 GP practices now bulk-billing. That's double the number before our changes came into effect on 1 November 2025. Prior to that, in the years before, it was really difficult for people to access health care at all, but now, with our massive investment in bulk-billing, they can. We now have 1800-Medicare, a free nationwide 24/7 health advice line and after-hours GP health service, all backed by Medicare. We've made it so much easier in my area for locals to get the urgent treatment they need with the Tweed Heads Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, and what a difference that has made.”
“Through the home battery scheme, we've had over 2,700 installed on the North Coast to help permanently cut power bills. We've expanded the five per cent deposits to our first homebuyers since we came into government, and 566 people in my region have bought their first home with a five per cent deposit. We've brought in paid prac for nursing, teaching, social work and midwifery students, and we're putting all public schools in Australia on a path to full and fair funding. These changes have had a huge impact right across the board. We delivered another pay rise to aged-care nurses, delivered cheaper child care and capped childcare fees. We are taking the next steps towards building a universal early education and childcare system, with three days of child care subsidy guaranteed per week.”
“Pay rises for all minimum and award wage workers have taken the total increase under Labor to over $9,000. This has had a massive impact on the people who live in my region. We expanded paid parental leave to 24 weeks, and superannuation is now paid on all the government paid parental leave. Cutting student debt by 20 per cent means that in my area nearly 20,000 people have benefited, with an average saving of $5,500. This is a major initiative that people in my region absolutely supported. Of course, we made free TAFE permanent again. What a difference that makes. And that's helped more than 5,000 students on the North Coast save thousands in fees. A lot of young people would not have been able to access TAFE without the free TAFE that we put in place.”
“I rise to highlight tonight the really positive difference that the Albanese Labor government is making right throughout the country and indeed in my electorate on the far north coast of New South Wales. Our government is building Australia's future and we have a whole range of plans specifically to address cost-of-living concerns, and that is the No. 1 concern of people in my electorate. Since our government was elected in 2022, our main focus has been on addressing cost of living through a whole range of different policies, and many of those actions have made a huge difference to people in my area. Some of those plans and actions include, of course, the tax cuts for every taxpayer, including the 71,000 taxpayers on the North Coast, with an average tax cut of around $1,500. We're also delivering another cut in July this year.”
“My question is to the Minister for Social Services. How is the Albanese Labor government strengthening our social security system and delivering cost-of-living relief for Australians, including social security payment recipients, and are there any risks to this?”
“My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel. How is the Albanese Labor government supporting our veteran community, and how does this compare to what the government inherited?”
“That's why it's so important for us to confront any imbalances in the system when they do arise, and that's exactly what this bill does. It strengthens support where it's most needed. It moderates concessions where they are least justified. It modernises the system whilst respecting its very foundations. It's measured, targeted and principled. This bill ensures that the system remains strong, fair and sustainable for generations to come. I commend the bill to the House.”
“Public confidence in our superannuation depends on fairness. Workers must be confident that the system is designed to support retirement securely for all, not to disproportionately benefit those who are already at the very top. Our superannuation system represents a shared national investment in dignity and security in retirement, and that's why our government is committed to protecting the long-term integrity of Australia's retirement income framework. Superannuation has reduced future pension pressure. It has increased household wealth. It has deepened capital markets. And it has given millions of Australians a tangible stake in our nation's prosperity. Superannuation is one of Australia's most important public policy achievements.”
“This bill strikes a careful balance. It preserves strong incentives to save. It maintains concessional treatment across the system. It introduces indexation arrangements to protect real thresholds over time. Importantly, the additional tax applies prospectively to earnings after commencement. It does not re-tax past contributions. It does not unwind existing arrangements. It is forward looking. The Australian Labor Party built our superannuation system, and successive Labor governments introduced reforms to ensure that the system remains fit for purpose. The Albanese Labor government has introduced significant reforms to improve the system and has enshrined the principles of equity and sustainability of the superannuation system in legislation. The reforms in this bill will build on that very proud legacy.”
“They're not intended to provide indefinite, heavily subsidised wealth-accumulation vehicles for individuals who have extremely large balances. Without periodic recalibration, the cost of concessions on very large balances will continue to grow disproportionately, and of course this cost is borne by all taxpayers. This bill introduces a measured recalibration. The reforms in this bill ensure that the concessional treatment of superannuation will remain the same, but it will be provided in a fairer and more sustainable way. Targeting concessions for the biggest balances helps fund more super for those with the smallest balances. A stronger and more sustainable superannuation system, more super for low-income earners, keeping more of what you earn and retiring with more as well—that's essentially what all of these reforms are about.”
“Right now, all super balances earn investment returns that are taxed at a concessional rate of 15 per cent before retirement and tax-free after retirement. Under these reforms, for super balances between $3 million and $10 million, the tax will increase from 15 per cent to 30 per cent for the portion of the balance above $3 million. For super balances above $10 million, the concessional rate will be 40 per cent. Both the $3 million and the $10 million thresholds will be indexed to ensure that these higher rates continue to apply only to those individuals who have very large balances. Regardless of the $3 million and $10 million thresholds, earnings will remain tax-free in the retirement phase. Superannuation tax concessions are provided to encourage saving for retirement.”
“The reforms in this bill strengthen that mechanism. They ensure that the LISTO eligibility threshold maximum payment amount will automatically adjust in line with any future changes to income tax thresholds and superannuation guarantee rates. With the third round of tax cuts taking effect in 2027, this will ensure that low-income workers will receive a fairer tax concession on their super contributions to align with these changes. On that second priority, we're making tax concessions fairer so they're better targeted for larger super balances. For individuals with total superannuation balances above $3 million, existing super tax concessions will be reduced on amounts over that threshold. This reform will take effect from July this year and impacts less than half a per cent of all Australians.”
“For many disability and aged-care workers, retail and hospitality staff, early childhood educators and nurses, these reforms will ensure they get the secure retirement they need, they've earned and they deserve. All workers with incomes between $28,000 and $45,000 will benefit from these changes. With an average increase in LISTO payments of $410, these workers could receive a benefit retirement of about $15,000, depending upon their income over the course of their career. The purpose of LISTO is to ensure individuals that earn up to a defined income threshold do not pay more tax on their superannuation contributions than they would have paid on their wages. In other words, it protects low-income workers from paying a higher effective tax rate simply because their earnings are directed into compulsory superannuation.”
“On this first priority, we're boosting support for low-income earners by increasing the low-income superannuation tax offset, LISTO. This will mean a fairer tax concession on super contributions for low-income workers. The reforms in this bill mean that, from July next year, we'll increase the maximum LISTO payment from $310 to $810. We'll also raise the income eligibility threshold from $37,000 to $45,000. These changes will increase the total number of Australians eligible for LISTO to 3.1 million people. What a difference it'll make to them, and 3.1 million Australians—the majority of them being women—will have a more financially secure retirement.”
“We've also announced mandatory service standards for super trustees, and we're reforming the retirement phase of superannuation as well. Over the next decade, more than 2.5 million Australians are expected to retire, and the Albanese Labor government has committed to uplifting the retirement phase of superannuation to ensure that Australians retire with the right information and strategies to help them make the most of their superannuation. Now, with the reforms in this bill, our government is making the superannuation system more equitable and more sustainable. This bill delivers on two key priorities. Firstly, it boosts support for low-income earners. Secondly, it makes tax concessions fairer and better targeted.”
“Even small delays reduce long-term growth, so receiving super contributions earlier can add thousands of dollars to a worker's retirement balance over their lifetime. This is particularly important for younger workers and those in casual or part-time jobs. Our government extended the annual performance test beyond MySuper products to also include trustee directed products, which increased coverage from about 80 products to 800. We've aligned the financial reporting requirements of funds with those of public companies to ensure that fund members have better access to more meaningful and detailed information. These reforms also mean less onerous reporting for funds, with greater clarity about requirements and the removal of duplication.”
“In 2023, for the first time, our government legislated a formal objective for superannuation: to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside the age pension, in an equitable and sustainable way. Embedding this objective in law provides policy clarity and stability. It ensures that any future changes align with the core purpose of the system. From July this year, the payday super reforms legislated by our government will come into effect. This means employers will be required to pay super at the same time as wages instead of quarterly contributions. For workers, this reduces unpaid super risks. It also means their money doesn't sit unpaid for up to three months before it starts earning investment returns.”
“Labor governments continue to shape the system by legislating a gradual increase in the superannuation guarantee from nine per cent to 12 per cent, introducing MySuper to provide low-cost default products, strengthening governance rules and improving fairness for low-income earners. The Albanese Labor government continues to build on this proud Labor legacy. Our government supported and completed the staged increases to super contributions, which reached 12 per cent in July 2025, and we made one of the most significant reforms to the super system with the decision to pay superannuation on Commonwealth paid parental leave. This reform recognised caregiving as an economic participation and helped reduce the long-term retirement penalty faced disproportionately by women. That change was great for families and great for the economy as well.”
“Former prime minister Paul Keating, the architect of our super system, said: Superannuation, like Medicare, is now an Australian community standard, binding the whole population as a national economic family, with each person having a place. Before the reforms, Australia had low national savings and relied very heavily on foreign capital. Compulsory super built a vast pool of domestic savings that would eventually underpin infrastructure investment, business growth and financial stability. Today, Australia's super pool is worth more than $4.5 trillion. It's one of the largest pension systems in the world relative to GDP.”
“For most of the past century, superannuation was limited to public servants, members of the military and some white-collar employees. Most workers—particularly women, blue-collar workers and casual employees—retired with no savings, and they had to rely purely on the age pension. It was a Labor government that began the transformation of the system in the 1980s. The Prices and Incomes Accord embedded superannuation into industrial awards and dramatically expanded its coverage. It was a Labor government that continued this work in the 1990s by legislating the superannuation guarantee that required employers to contribute a set percentage of an employee's ordinary earnings into superannuation funds. The reforms were good for not just workers but the entire economy.”
“I too rise to speak in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Bill 2026. Superannuation is one of the most significant social and economic reforms in modern Australian history. It reflects a simple but powerful idea: that working people deserve dignity, security and independence in retirement. The reforms in this bill are about making our super system even stronger and more sustainable. They're about ensuring that lower income workers receive a fairer tax concession and addressing imbalances in the distribution of tax concessions that have emerged over time. Of course, the Labor Party has a very long and proud history of creating, strengthening and defending our superannuation system.”
“I present the report from the Standing Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests concerning an application from Professor David Lindenmayer AO for the publication of a response to a reference made in the Federation Chamber. Report—by leave—agreed to.”
“This commitment will fund infrastructure measures for crime prevention and community safety right throughout our North Coast communities. The commitment includes $1 million for each of the Tweed, Byron and Ballina councils, and the funding can be used for CCTV, lighting, bollards, fencing or landscaping—all measures to improve community safety. This has come about because so many people in the community were calling for it and I'm very proud to be delivering it. All of these projects will be completed by 2027. I especially want to thank all those members of the committee who— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 10:03 to 10:13”
“It's a licenced all-species wildlife hospital and operates inside a custom built semi-trailer, making it Australia's only mobile wildlife hospital, which can be deployed during natural disasters as well. Recently I visited their facility in Lennox Head and there I met Biscuit, a tiny bandicoot, who's just one of the thousands of native animals that Byron Bay Wildlife will be able to continue to help because of the funding from our government. Also, I am equally proud to be delivering on my $3 million election commitment for a North Coast crime prevention infrastructure plan. As a former frontline police officer, I know first-hand how important it is that we have more resources to strengthen community safety, including CCTV.”
“Since the clinic first opened, there's been a daily average of 38 presentations, and nearly 60 per cent of patients who visit the clinic would have otherwise gone to an emergency department, so it's taking the pressure off the Tweed Valley Hospital. Also, our government is taking decisive action to better protect our native wildlife on the North Coast. This includes my 2025 election commitment for $2 million for the expansion of operations at the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital. Opened in 2020, the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital operates seven days a week and has treated approximately 7,000 native animals, including hundreds of threatened species.”
“Well, locals in my electorate of Richmond on the far North Coast of New South Wales know they can always count on me, and I'll always deliver on all of my promises. I'm really proud to be delivering on all my 2025 election commitments. These include the Tweed Heads Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, $2 million for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and $3 million for a North Coast crime prevention infrastructure plan. We officially opened the Tweed Heads Urgent Care Clinic at Tweed Health for Everyone Superclinic last December, and the clinic provides locals with free urgent care that they need, fully bulk-billed, open seven days a week from 7:30 am to 7:30pm and all you need is your Medicare card. So many locals have told me what a huge difference it makes having the clinic there to just really fill that crucial gap in providing urgent health care.”
“By modernising our laws to reflect contemporary practice, we're strengthening Medicare; supporting the health workforce; and making our health system more responsive, more equitable and more sustainable into the future, because we do have that ageing population and we do have increasing clinical and complex care needs that are there. These investments right across the board are vitally important. I commend the bill to the House.”
“Ultimately, this whole bill is about putting patients first, and that has been our whole agenda with all of our healthcare reforms making sure we are putting patients first. It also, very importantly, recognises the skills of our nurses. And I do want to compliment all of our nurses in my region and across the country—both nurses and health professionals—for the remarkable work that they continue to do all of the time. This is a recognition of that. So it recognises the skills of our nurses, trusts the evidence and removes barriers that, quite frankly, don't make sense. It doesn't make sense that this had not been in place before. It's about ensuring that where a person lives or which qualified health professionals they see doesn't determine whether they can afford the medicines that they need, that they need then and there.”
“From July 2026, it's expected the first cohort of nurse prescribers will complete their additional education and receive endorsement. That's just great news, particularly, as I say, for those of us in regional and rural areas. The reforms in this bill help align our health legislation with modern clinical practice. They strengthen patient access to subsidised medicines and support the evolution of the health workforce. And, of course, the bill complements existing practice by enabling a broader range of health providers to contribute effectively to patient care. And this is very important in context where medical workforce shortages can lead to delays or inefficiencies.”
“Of course, preventable hospitalisations that result in delayed access to medicine will also be reduced as well, and these reforms are the result of work already undertaken to improve access to timely, affordable and safe medicines and alleviate pressure on our health workforce as well. Of course, there's been extensive research and the consultation that's been led by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Offices. This work led to the development of new standards for designated registered nurse practitioners, and in December 2020 for Commonwealth, state and territory health ministers approved the new registration standard to enable nurses to become authorised prescribers.”