Catherine King
Ballarat · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“NSW Government has been working to develop an engineering solution and a procurement process in parallel. That's not normally how it works, but they've been trying to expedite that as quickly as possible to work out the way forward. There's been a detailed and careful process to do that because we know we can't take shortcuts with this.”
“I thank the member for Calare for his question, and I also acknowledge the member for Macquarie for her advocacy. She's been in my office consistently about this on behalf of the Blue Mountains community.”
“They will then work with my department on a specific funding request, but I spoke to Minister Aitchison on Friday to signal my support for the Commonwealth assisting in what we know is a very significant piece of infrastructure not just for the Blue Mountains but also the member for Calare's community.”
“It's a little bigger than Navigators, with around 350 households, and I was there last week to celebrate beloved local postie Lyn McNight, who has been delivering the mail for 27 years.”
“We're continuing to invest across the country in transport routes from road to rail, whether it be the completion of Metronet or, today, the start of construction of the new Swan electric ferry fleet. The Suburban Rail Loop and North East Link in Melbourne are providing critical links across Melbourne's suburban network.”
“When considering the Ballarat electorate, you might think of the City of Ballarat itself, with its gold rush buildings, its gardens, our lakes, Sovereign Hill and many proud local manufacturers, like McCain, Mars and Haymes Paint, or our cafes and restaurants, which will soon be battling it out again for the annual Ballarat's Best Pie com…”
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“As the member for Leichhardt knows well, though, we are not just investing in his electorate's airports; we're also making record investments in Queensland, in particular in Queensland's longest highway, the Bruce Highway. It was just over a year ago now that I joined the Prime Minister in Gympie to announce an additional $7.2 billion into the Bruce Highway to improve the highway north of Gympie, up to Cairns. That takes our government's total investment in the Bruce up to $17 billion. I'm really pleased to be able to see the progress that is happening.”
“Can I thank the member for Leichhardt for the question. It was an absolute pleasure to stand with him, with the member for Braddon and with Minister McBain this morning to announce up to $5 million to support regional and remote airports that supported Rex. Many local councils and their regional airports were left short-changed when Rex went into administration, but they continued to support regional travellers across the country, ensuring that Rex could continue to fly in. That funding will go some way to covering the shortfall for regional airports across country Australia, including in Cairns, and I encourage local councils and members to encourage their local councils to apply for that funding.”
“Because of the work of this government, whether you're travelling Moruya to Sydney, Coober Pedy to Adelaide, Monkey Mia to Perth—or, in fact, from the opposition benches maybe to the crossbench—Rex will continue to get you there. Ensuring Rex kept flying is just one of the ways that we have invested in our regions to keep them connected. Back here on the ground, while the Nationals are busy playing musical chairs, we're building major infrastructure in their electorates, because someone has to actually do the job of delivering for the regions. In the former shadow assistant treasurer's seat of Cowper, we're making strong progress with the Coffs Harbour bypass, a project promised for decades, announced but not delivered, but now being delivered by the federal and state Labor governments.”
“I thank the member for Braddon for her question. I know she, as the member representing Devonport, Bernie and King Island, was very pleased to meet today, as was I, with the Air T CEO, board and executives, the new owners of Rex airlines, to further reiterate this government's commitment to regional Australia. I, like the Speaker, welcome Air T and Rex to the gallery today. We look forward to working with you to see you deliver the valuable service for our regional communities across this country. Our government backed Rex. We committed to keeping it flying until we could secure a buyer. And now Rex is moving on to a new chapter of regional aviation.”
“In a beautiful gesture, Ballarat Hebrew Congregation President, John Abraham, has since announced that these flowers will be used to create a memorial garden in honour of the victims of the Bondi attack, a place for all of us in our community to remember what has been lost and a reminder that we must continue to fight against antisemitism. May the memory of those we have lost be a blessing to us all, and may we all somehow summon the strength to turn darkness into light, not just today but in every day and in everything that we do.”
“The Jewish community of Ballarat are one of the oldest threads in the fabric of our city. Their contributions were essential in building Ballarat into the thriving and welcoming community that it is today. Their names are on buildings across our community. This is a story reflected across Australia. During the service, members spoke of their grief and of their anger that such things could happen here. They spoke about the need for compassion, the need to demonstrate tolerance and understanding, and the need for us all to come together. Outside, hundreds of flowers were laid at the door of the synagogue, in solidarity with the Jewish community.”
“And, may I say, as a non-Jewish person, it has been particularly confronting to appreciate the sense of fear and devastation I know so many of our fellow citizens have experienced in recent times. Antisemitism, the oldest hatred, is an evil that tears at the fabric of this country. It puts the peaceful, free and equal society that we cherish at risk. There can be no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. We are all gathered here in this extraordinary sitting of parliament because we do not want to see this happen again. In the days following Bondi, I visited the Ballarat Synagogue both to listen and to offer my support and condolences. The synagogue was established in 1861. It is the oldest shul still operating in mainland Australia; the oldest in Australia is in Launceston. These are both regional communities.”
“Last month, we bore witness to one of the most traumatic events in our nation's history and one of the most painful days in the long and proud history of Australia's Jewish people. For the past month my thoughts, the thoughts of every member of the government and, I am sure, the thoughts of every Australian have been with those affected, in particular the loved ones of those who've died and those who have been injured and are still struggling with that. We've also been struck by the bravery of those who responded, including our police, our paramedics, our civilians and our surf lifesavers. That image of Jacko running barefoot is an iconic Australian image. This atrocity was an attack on our Jewish community, but it was also an attack on the Australian way of life. Australians are shocked. They are angry.”
“I rise to join my colleagues across this entire chamber in offering my heartfelt condolences to the victims of the devastating antisemitic terror attack we saw in Bondi. We've heard a little bit during this condolence motion about the concept of three deaths: the death of the body, the death when the soul leaves the body, and the third death, which is the last time someone says your name, thinks about you or writes your name. In that spirit, I too will read the names. Matilda. Edith Brutman. Dan Elkayam. Boris and Sofia Gurman. Alexander Kleytman. Rabbi Yaakov Levitan. Peter Meagher. Reuven Morrison. Marika Pogany. Rabbi Eli Schlanger. Adam Smyth. Boris Tetleroyd. Tania Tretiak. Tibor Weitzen.”
“They cut funding to key projects like Brisbane's Cross River Rail. Really, it's been only a Labor government that's really invested significantly in Queensland. We know Cross River Rail has been going well. This prime minister invested in it as infrastructure minister. Those opposite froze indexation to road maintenance, leaving potholes all across our national highway network—decades worth of potholes that we're now having to clean up. This government is building the infrastructure that Australians need and fixing up the mess left by that divided opposition opposite.”
“Planning is underway for rail improvements between Logan and the Gold Coast and for better rail links to the Sunshine Coast, where work is already underway on upgrading the rail between Beerburrum and Nambour. Minister Mickelberg and I also worked with the Brisbane City Council to deliver Brisbane Metro, and all three levels of government are now collaborating on the business case to see it expanded even further. It's a new way of doing business between federal and state governments. We actually work together. I know that is a foreign concept to those opposite. We work with our state colleagues. When those opposite were in government, they didn't just fight with each other; they also antagonised the states. They called Western Australians 'cavemen'. They talked down premiers who disagreed with them.”
“I look forward to opening this much-needed project with my good friend Minister Brent Mickelberg and the member for Forde next week. I'm proud to be working with Brent on our $7.2 billion investment in the Bruce Highway, with construction already getting underway. The beef roads, where work has finally started—we've finally got that project off the ground, upgrading key cattle freight routes across Central Queensland. Construction on the Rockhampton Ring Road, which we had to put millions of dollars more into to deliver because it was short-changed by those opposite—only Labor is delivering the Rockhampton Ring Road and the Mackay Ring Road, two massive projects being delivered by a federal Labor government in partnership with the Queensland government.”
“I thank the member for Forde for his question. I always love visiting his part of the world. Queensland's beautiful beaches are ready made, but we do know there's work to do on the roads and rail across the state, and our government is delivering. For decades, it's been clear to anyone who's sat in a traffic jam next to Movie World that a north-south alternative to the M1 is required. Over 210,000 vehicles routinely use the M1, on the busiest days, between Coomera and Nerang. I'm pleased to share that the fix is here; the Coomera Connector is coming. The new four-lane, four-kilometre section of the Coomera Connector, which will be inventively named the M9, will provide a vital alternative route to the M1 for locals between Coomera and Helensvale.”
“I also want to briefly speak about the huge increase the Albanese Labor government is giving to regional road funding. Two things that really shocked me when I first became the minister included the cuts that had been made to road maintenance funding under those opposite—the cutting, the freezing of indexation to road maintenance funding. Now that we have doubled Roads to Recovery, $1 billion is going each and every year to our local governments for the roads that we work on every single day.”
“It's always a huge and fun-filled day for local families, from dachshund races, camel rides and miniature goats to competitive woodchops and motocross professionals doing exciting tricks. I'm not the only one who loves the show; in fact, over 20,000 people visited this year—5,000 more than last year's show. I was very pleased to support the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society with a $1.5 million election commitment in April this year. The funds will go towards the new event and exhibition centre. It will be a versatile and modern venue able to host everything from agriculture and wine shows to workshops and community get-togethers. I want to congratulate in particular Kerri, Matt and the rest of the volunteer committee, who've done a brilliant job of relocating to the new premises and continuing the show's proud legacy.”
“They celebrated with a sausage sizzle, slushies and a lot of dancing and cake. My sister-in-law Kerryn, who's actually here in Canberra this week, and her sisters all attended this little school in the 1960s. They still have very fond memories of it. I was proud to attend the Clunes Primary School 150th anniversary in July this year, and I look forward to celebrating the 150th anniversary of Warrenheip Primary School on 7 December. It really speaks volumes of just how much little schools matter in that so many people are coming together to celebrate these momentous occasions. There is, of course, nothing quite like the Ballarat Show. 2025 was the show's 170th year, but it was its first in its new Mount Rowan home.”
“'Little schools do matter.' They're the words of Maree, a mum of four and active school community member at Lal LalPrimary School, one of a number of proud local schools who are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year. The Lal Lal celebration was a brilliant event with songs from students, the retrieval of a time capsule and plenty of cake, of course. I met the current grade 5 and 6 students here in Parliament House in October, but it was really exciting to also meet 94-year-old Pat, a grand matriarch who attended the school in 1937, and, of course, 100-year-old Jim, who attended the school for a month back in 1931 while he was staying his grandma while his mum was having his sister. Trentham Primary School also celebrated their 150th anniversary this past weekend.”
“I thank the member for Chisholm for the question. She represents a beautiful part of the world. In fact, my brother Mark and I were born there and grew up there before we moved to Ballarat for study and work, consecutively, so it's lovely to have the member for Chisholm asking that question. It's a great time to talk about infrastructure, because this really has been a year of delivery.”
“I have to say, some of the comments at the time from those opposite, particularly when we were told that, frankly, what we were doing was a bridge too far—I think the shadow minister said we were going to crowd out competition from smaller regional airlines, warning us to break Rex and Rex's routes up. This has been an important process, for the government to systematically and seriously work through what has been a difficult problem, and I'm pleased we now have a pathway forward for regional aviation in this country.”
“The government will be retaining security over the aircraft and the simulator, and that will ensure the fleet of Saabs cannot be sold without this government's permission, making sure that guarantee is there. We announced yesterday that we are also establishing a new $5 million program for local government owned regional and remote airports that supported Rex throughout voluntary administration. We know many of them have had to forgo money they would have been able to spend on other things because of that administration. This government is stepping in and supporting those local councils, and making sure they are able to keep those incredibly important regional airports going. This government has been determined to support Rex from the start.”
“When Rex hit financial turbulence, we stepped in to keep it flying. This government made a commitment that it would support Rex and the regional towns that rely on the airline. I'm pleased we've made significant headway on this commitment, with administrators securing a way forward with Air T, subject to the upcoming creditors meeting next week. Air T have significant experience in maintaining aircraft such as the Saabs that connect our regional communities and serve Rex's essential routes. The government will be, as I announced yesterday, supporting Air T in restructuring Rex's existing debts. In exchange for this support, Air T have agreed to a range of commitments that will preserve regional connectivity, including returning more aircraft and increasing the frequency of those profitable flights across the Rex networks.”
“I thank the member for Gilmore for her question. I particularly note that when the Minister for Health and Ageing was giving his response he referred to the wonderful member for Aston and her fighting spirit. You couldn't get a better matched pair than with the member for Gilmore. People have written her off, and look at her! She is absolutely amazing and we are delighted to have her here all the time with us. For towns like Moruya in the seat of Gilmore, Coober Pedy in the seat of Grey and Winton in the National Party leader's seat of Maranoa, Rex is the only airline that connects them to the biggest city in their region. Forty-five towns in Australia rely on Rex to get them where they need to go. Our government has been crystal clear from the start: we know Rex is essential.”
“There's over $22 million for oversize and overmass improvements on the Golden Highway and $10 million for those critical renewable energy zone roads. There are projects in community infrastructure that you've advocated strongly for—$15 million for the Orange sporting precinct, for example. We're investing in infrastructure in Calare, but we do it properly and in a way that we know we can deliver, properly planned and properly costed, unlike those opposite, who, frankly, raised expectations and then failed to deliver anything.”
“It's pretty emblematic, frankly, of the way in which those opposite announced road funding projects, standing up with their press releases, sometimes with fake cheques, but couldn't deliver. It was all about the announcement and not about the delivery. We have changed that. That is what we are focused on—delivering projects that are properly funded and properly planned—and that is important. That's what we saw from those opposite. We are not interested in that approach, because it means you simply cannot deliver those projects. I know we remain very committed to your area, Member for Calare. We're investing a lot there already. We've invested planning money for Dixons Long Point Crossing. There's money for the Coxs River Road upgrade and the Peak Hill Road upgrade.”
“Their consideration of this project is still underway, and of course then, as we do in the usual way, through budget processes, we will consider any proposals to see whether the Commonwealth will co-invest in those. As you are aware, the proposed tunnel between Katoomba and Lithgow was committed to by the former LNP government, with only $2 billion committed for works either side of the tunnel and an extra $500 million committed by the New South Wales government. The middle section alone of that tunnel would cost in the order of $11 billion and would be the longest road tunnel in the country, under the Blue Mountains. All of that was unfunded when we came to office.”
“I thank the member for Calare for the question. I know this is an issue that he feels very strongly about. I understand, through my office's engagement with the office of the New South Wales minister, Minister Aitchison, that they are currently undertaking a white paper, investigating options for upgrades to the Great Western Highway, and that is currently well progressed. I also understand that the member have met with Minister Aitchison to discuss the progress of this work in New South Wales. As the member would appreciate, with projects of this nature and size, we can't really proceed without the support of the New South Wales government.”
“They then, because they couldn't get that through the Senate, decided to freeze the Medicare rebate—not just for two years but, under the Leader of the Opposition's watch, for four years. That did significant damage to bulk-billing rates and to our healthcare system. After that decade of appalling neglect of our healthcare system—the wrecking of Medicare—this government is getting on with the job of actually restoring bulk-billing and restoring Medicare. That benefits regional Australia.”
“So we know that more than 1,000 GP clinics have now taken up the challenge to actually bulk-bill 100 per cent of their patients. Almost 800 of these are in regional and remote communities. It's all part of our commitment to ensure nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed by 2030. Compare that, of course, to what those opposite did when they were in government. We saw in the 2014 cut-and-slash budget, of course, $50 billion cut from public hospitals and attempts to put on increased co-payments to make medicines more expensive. They wanted to put a co-payment on every single emergency visit, and then what they also wanted to do was bake in a $7 and then a $20 GP tax.”
“This investment is making a real difference across the whole of the country, but, in our regions in particular, it is an absolute game changer. This investment is making a difference. In my own electorate, more GP clinics are now fully bulk-billed. In fact, 18 clinics have changed from mixed billing to bulk-billing because of the changes of this government. That includes Q1 Medical in Lucas, the Eureka medical centre in Ballarat and Springs Medical in Daylesford and Trentham—and they've also got a practice in Kyneton, in the member for Bendigo's electorate. The members for Flynn in Queensland and Cowper in the mid north coast of New South Wales are seeing 16 clinics in their electorate move from mixed billing to bulk-billing.”
“I thank the member for Bendigo for her question. Victorians know there's a healthy rivalry between Bendigo and Ballarat. But what there's not a rivalry about, a fact that both of us know, is just how important Medicare and bulk-billing are to our regional communities. When you're sick and you need to see a doctor, it shouldn't be a struggle. It is why this government is making the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago, with $8.5 billion that is delivering more bulk-billing and more doctors across Australia. For the first time, bulk-billing incentives will be paid to GPs for every patient that they bulk-bill, and we're delivering an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits each year. Medicare payments in regional bulk-billing practices will be double what they are now.”
“They come on top of the first PBS listings of new oral contraceptives in more than 30 years. The AMA has said our package is a major investment in women's health, and the college of GPs has said that better funding for women's health is an investment that will pay off and improve health care. On this side of the chamber, we are investing in the health of women.”
“We are also funding free training for healthcare practitioners in the insertion and removal of IUDs to boost the number of qualified practitioners and improve access to services. A 40 per cent bulk-billing incentive will incentivise health professionals to provide long-acting contraceptive services and support more women to choose the contraceptive options that work best for them. We are also adding new contraceptive options such as NuvaRing to the PBS, providing women more choices at a much more affordable cost. Before the listing of this contraceptive option on the PBS, women might have paid more than $270 a year. Now they will only have to pay $31.60 per script or $7.70 if they're concessional. These changes should not be underestimated. For many women they are life changing.”
“Women have asked government to take their health care seriously and we have listened. Our landmark women's health package could save women and their families thousands of dollars across their lifetimes, and I'm very pleased today to report that, in just 48 hours, many of these changes will come into effect. From 1 November, women will have better access to affordable contraceptive options thanks to this government's women's health package. We're providing Australian women more choice, lower costs and better support for long-term contraceptives, with larger Medicare payments and more bulk-billing for IUDs and birth control implants. Medical rebates for insertion of IUDs and birth control implants will increase by up to 150 per cent, with around 300,000 women each year expected to save up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs.”
“(): I thank the member for Newcastle for the question. The member for Newcastle is one of the people in this place who has done a huge amount not just for women's health but across the whole spectrum of issues that affect women. You couldn't have a greater champion than the member for Newcastle. Women's health care is, of course, not just a women's issue. It is crucial to our families, our communities and our economy that women are able to exercise choice and control over their health care. As a government we understand this and it's why, when we came to government in 2022, we made it one of our top priorities. This government has been working to reverse years of neglect of women's health, with our $729 million package to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for women.”
“And the member for Riverina said: I had many conversations with Catherine King and Anthony Albanese about this— I can confirm that that is the case— and I thank the government for their work in supporting Rex. I acknowledge and thank the efforts made by some of those opposite to support the government in our work to bring Rex out of voluntary administration. We'll continue to support the process—we're not quite there yet—and work to ensure regional Australians have access to reliable, affordable and available flights now and into the future.”
“At the time, this was not wholly supported, with members opposite calling our support for Rex 'a bridge too far' and telling us our support to extend administration so that we could get a solution was 'kicking the can down the road until after the election' to try to hide somehow that Rex would not survive. But I'm very hopeful that our strong position to support regional Australians will pay off, and our position has been supported by the sector and others. The Australian Airports Association said: This is a significant development for regional aviation and provides much-needed certainty for communities that rely on essential air services. The Chair of Airlines for Australia and New Zealand said: I thank the Australian Government for its tenacity in keeping Rex flying and thereby protecting the airline's vital regional and rural links.”
“It's a very positive step towards bringing Rex out of administration. I'd like to thank the many hardworking public servants who have worked tirelessly over the past year to try to get this done. We still have a way to go, but it is a very positive development for the future of Rex Airlines. As this process continues, our priority as a government will remain on protecting regional Australians and their access to these critical services. It's why, when Rex first went into administration, we stepped up to provide a guarantee of regional flight bookings for Rex customers and a loan facility to the administrators to ensure that Rex could continue to fly throughout this process.”
“I thank the member for Leichhardt for the question, and for his continual advocacy for regional Australians. I also note the interjection of the member for Riverina, who might feature in my answer a little too. I'd like to add how incredibly proud I am to be the member for Ballarat and represent my regional community. In fact, this Labor government represents more regional electorates than any other party in this place—from Cairns to Launnie, from Ballina to Beverley and the many places in between. We know how crucial it is that regional Australians have access to aviation to access the care they need, to see family and to pursue opportunities. That's why it was very encouraging to see the announcement last week that the sale and implementation deed to purchase Rex Airlines has been entered into by Air T and the administrators.”
“Our government is delivering on our once-in-a-generation reforms to the aged-care sector that will see more older Australians get better care faster and more home-care and Support at Home packages and that will fund those increases in the number of beds and facilities like those in Creswick. Our older Australians deserve to age in dignity, and I'm very pleased that we'll be able to support not only John Curtin Aged Care but particularly the residents, as well as the workers in that facility through the extra wages.”
“It'll mean more jobs in the community for the extra staff who are already employed as a result of the expansion. Most importantly, it's an investment in the future of this town—in Creswick families and older people who live in this area. I was really pleased to make this announcement in Creswick with the dedicated board and staff of the centre, as well as the valued residents. We made this announcement on the same day as the Albanese Labor government delivered a fourth increase in award wages to the 40,000 dedicated workers in our aged-care sector—an increase of $60.20 per week for a registered nurse. It ends, frankly, a decade where aged-care workers were systematically underpaid and undervalued in this country.”
“Every single room at John Curtin looks out onto the garden. Not only is that calming and uplifting for residents; many of the people that come to live there are country people and have spent their entire lives surrounded by nature. It's something that makes John Curtin special and I'm pleased that that important feature will be retained for the residents when the upgrade occurs. Of course, the facility is named after Creswick born prime minister John Curtin. The centre itself was opened by another Labor legend, Prime Minister Bob Hawke, in 1986. Labor government support for aged care that supports the dignity of older people is in our DNA. The $30 million for this refurbishment is really an investment in the Creswick community. It will mean work for local contractors and builders delivering on that refurbishment.”
“Everyone, wherever they live, deserves access to quality aged care close to their loved ones. It's something I feel very passionately about and that the Albanese Labor government is prioritising. John Curtin Aged Care in my electorate provides an incredibly important service to the Creswick community. It's a registered charity. It's a place where older people are treated with dignity and respect and a place that families can spend time with their loved ones. Like many great aged-care centres, it is experiencing high demand. It's why I was really delighted to announce that the government is providing $13 million to John Curtin Aged Care as part of our Aged Care Capital Assistance Program. The funding will deliver 18 new beds, taking the total to 93 beds. The funding will also allow for 35 of the existing rooms to be refurbished.”
“These provide new opportunities for Australians to be able to continue to live, to work and to gain an income not only from agriculture but also from the refineries and the jobs that are there. On this side of the chamber, we support our regional communities; we support those jobs in those regional communities, and our Future Made in Australia plan will deliver just that for our regions.”
“Those are some who support our plan of investing $1.1 billion in low-carbon liquid fuels: our farmers, our tourism operators, our transport sector and, of course, our energy providers as well. Do you know who doesn't support this plan? It is those opposite, and that is absolutely and utterly disappointing. They show no support for low-carbon liquid fuels, a transition that is happening across the world, and the opportunities that provides in regional Australia. The coalition would rather continue tearing themselves apart over net zero than support new jobs and new industries in our regions that will ensure the future sustainability of jobs in those regions, many areas of which have seen declining populations and declining jobs.”
“I am so pleased to see how our plan to create a new sustainable fuels industry has been welcomed by so many, like the National Farmers' Federation, who said: "This isn't just about cleaner fuels. It's about creating jobs, diversifying farm businesses, and ensuring our regions remain at the forefront of Australia's transition to net zero." The Tourism & Transport Forum said: … TTF applauds this landmark investment, which brings government and industry together to position Australia as a global leader in sustainable aviation, cruise and transport fuels. And Ampol said: The announcement is an important step forward in establishing a market for Australian-produced LCLF, paving the way for a new industry and creating jobs across the country.”
“I thank the member for Lingiari for the question, and for her support for this important and historic investment in our regional communities. The Albanese Labor government is committed to growing an Australian low-carbon liquid fuels industry here on our soil that will support our farmers, create jobs and will provide a sustainable future for our transport industries. Sustainable fuels have an absolutely essential role to play in those hard-to-abate sectors of aviation and heavy haulage. It is why we have committed $1.1 billion to the Cleaner Fuels Program to build a new low-carbon liquid fuels industry here in Australia. It is a fantastic opportunity for regional Australia; from growers to refineries, creating new income streams for farmers and new job opportunities for workers.”
“And, of course, from 1 January, we will see every prescription listed on the PBS costing no more than $25. This is all targeted at helping and supporting women's health. We've listened to women's health needs, and now we're getting on with the job of actually delivering.”
“Before the listings of Yaz, Yasmin and Slinda on the PBS, women were paying around $380 a year for their contraception. They are now paying half that and, of course, much less—around $30.80—if they're concession card holders. Before the listings of Estrogel, Prometrium and Estrogel Pro on the PBS, again, women might have paid up to $670 a year. Now they're paying only $31.60 a script—again, a really enormous cost-of-living relief for women to access health care. We know that, already, more than 20,000 women have taken up the new perimenopausal and menopause health assessments since they were subsidised just on 1 July. The opening of the 22 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, with 11 more to come, and expanding of all 33 clinics has been, again, an enormous benefit to women across the country.”
“Through strengthening Medicare and delivering cheaper medicines, this investment means more choice, lower costs and better health care for women across the country at all stages of their lives. We committed over $790 million for a women's health package—prescriptions for oral contraceptives being part of that package—and they are, of course, making a real difference across our community. Since 1 May, as the minister said, we've seen over 365,000 patients access more than 715 prescriptions for oral contraceptives, menopause hormone therapies and endometriosis treatments. That is a huge number of patients accessing those treatments. We've listed new contraceptives on the PBS for the first time in 30 years, making it cheaper and much easier for women to actually access long-lasting contraceptives.”
“I thank the fabulous member for Dickson for her question and her advocacy for women. She is such an important member of this place, and I'm very proud to have her here. This week is Women's Health Week. It's an important reminder to all of us of the issues that affect over half of our population, and it is time to reflect on the work that's been done. Of course, there is always more to do. This government is a government that backs women whether it is in our workplaces, in our communities or, of course, in our healthcare system, and I want to recognise the work of Assistant Minister White and Assistant Minister Kearney who, before her, worked on this package. It's why we've delivered the most significant investment in women's health in decades. We know that women deserve access to the health care that they need.”