Emma McBride
Dobell · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“For 60 years, NBN has been part of daily life on the Central Coast, broadcasting into the homes of local families and helping bring our community together. Through natural disasters, global pandemics and the everyday stories that matter, dedicated journalists and camera crews have worked tirelessly to keep coasties informed.”
“I'm talking about Labor's Medicare urgent care clinics delivered right across the country. I acknowledge health minister Mark Butler for seeing this through—all 137 clinics—and helping Australians get care when and where they need it. Behind every clinic is a story. One of them is Graeme's.”
“For decades, NBN has been a cornerstone of regional life, not only as an employer but as a trusted voice. Local journalism is essential. It matters. It keeps communities informed. It holds decision-makers to account. It means that regional voices are heard.”
“He told me it was easier, more welcoming and far less stressful. The staff, he said, were fantastic and empathetic. He told me: This is the best thing that a government has done for Lake Haven. That says it all. This is about dignity, access and making sure people get care when they need it.”
“The three-day guarantee replaces the former Liberal government's activity test, which meant children who most needed early learning were blocked because of their parents' work or study. Under our government's new three-day guarantee, every child who needs it is eligible for three days of subsidised early learning each week.”
“It will provide multidisciplinary care for endometriosis and pelvic pain, as well as support for women like myself who are living with perimenopause and menopause.”
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“He told me it was easier, more welcoming and far less stressful. The staff, he said, were fantastic and empathetic. He told me: This is the best thing that a government has done for Lake Haven. That says it all. This is about dignity, access and making sure people get care when they need it. When we invest in healthcare like this, we're easing pressure on hospitals and we're improving people's lives, and that's what a good government should do.”
“I'm talking about Labor's Medicare urgent care clinics delivered right across the country. I acknowledge health minister Mark Butler for seeing this through—all 137 clinics—and helping Australians get care when and where they need it. Behind every clinic is a story. One of them is Graeme's. Graeme is a stroke survivor living with a lifelong disability and is also a passionate AC/DC fan. Last year, at a concert in Accor Stadium, he rocked a little too hard and badly gashed his shin. While paramedics treated him on the spot, his recovery meant weeks of follow-up care. In the past, that would have meant repeated hospital visits in busy emergency departments—something especially challenging for someone living with a disability. Instead, Graeme went to the Lake Haven Medicare urgent care clinic.”
“For decades, NBN has been a cornerstone of regional life, not only as an employer but as a trusted voice. Local journalism is essential. It matters. It keeps communities informed. It holds decision-makers to account. It means that regional voices are heard. When local newsrooms are scaled back, communities lose more than jobs; they lose representation. I urge WIN to reconsider this decision and to explore every possible option to maintain a strong local presence on the Central Coast because this is about more than a business model; it is about protecting jobs, preserving trusted regional journalism and making sure that our community continues to have a voice. I rise today to speak about something close to my heart, something making a real practical difference to the people of Dobell.”
“For 60 years, NBN has been part of daily life on the Central Coast, broadcasting into the homes of local families and helping bring our community together. Through natural disasters, global pandemics and the everyday stories that matter, dedicated journalists and camera crews have worked tirelessly to keep coasties informed. Today I rise with deep concern—a concern shared right across the region—about WIN News's decision to significantly scale back the operations of NBN on the Central Coast. The decision is not just a so-called corporate adjustment; it has real consequences. It means the loss of local jobs, skilled journalists, producers and camera operators who understand our community and are part of it. It means a diminished ability to tell the stories of the Central Coast by the Central Coast for the Central Coast.”
“The three-day guarantee replaces the former Liberal government's activity test, which meant children who most needed early learning were blocked because of their parents' work or study. Under our government's new three-day guarantee, every child who needs it is eligible for three days of subsidised early learning each week. I recently had the opportunity to hear from staff at Goodstart Tumbi Umbi, who spoke of the difference the changes have made, supporting local families by removing barriers. Centre director Carlie said, This change allows children to build a strong foundation of learning and to develop positive associations with the educational process and begin their journey as lifelong learners. The impact seen at this age is one thing, but the impact that this can have on society for years to come is enormous.”
“It will provide multidisciplinary care for endometriosis and pelvic pain, as well as support for women like myself who are living with perimenopause and menopause. The clinic has recruited expert health professionals, including a senior specialist in women's health, a continence and pelvic floor physiotherapist and a senior clinical nurse with women's health, community, sexual health and domestic violence experience. Our government is rolling out 33 clinics across Australia, a key part of our landmark women's health package, investing almost $800 million in funding to deliver improved health care and access for women and girls, including in the regions. Central Coast children are now eligible for three days of subsidised early education and care each week under the Albanese Labor government's three-day guarantee.”
“Among the recipients was Jamie, an Iraq veteran who now works at the hub as a services navigator. I'd like to acknowledge and thank Jamie, Kristen, Kellie and Melissa, the incredible team at the hub who day in and day out show up to support our local veterans and their families. Last year, I was proud to announce that, along with my colleagues the members for Shortland and Robertson, I had secured an endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic for the Central Coast. I'm pleased to update the House that the clinic will officially open on 13 April, offering vital women's health support and care. The clinic is located within the Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre, Wyoming, in my electorate of Dobell.”
“The Central Coast Veteran and Family Hub offers support to the more than 8,000 veterans and their families on the Central Coast. This includes tailored services to assist with employment, social connection and advocacy services, along with mental health and physical health support. Hearing from locals, I know the real difference this hub is already making for local veterans and their families, as it has fostered deep connections to our local RSL subbranches and the wider community. Recently I had the privilege of welcoming the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon. Matt Keogh, to the hub. The minister joined me in presenting certificates of appreciation to veterans and volunteers in recognition of their service.”
“Peter, this bill is for you and others who, like you, have been forced to do the heavy lifting themselves. This bill strengthens consumer protection, transparency and trust. I commend the bill to the House.”
“It also strengthens the annual premium round with formalised timelines and a structured process for additional information. These reforms modernise health transparency and ensure practitioners have a fair internal review process. They're practical, reasonable and necessary. They reflect the government's commitment to ensuring the private health system delivers genuine value for money and places consumers at the centre of decision-making. We don't want Australians to continue to face uncertainty about treatment costs, often during some of the most difficult times for them and their families. I want to thank constituents who have written to me or met with me, like Peter, who said on specialist fees: The only option to see a specialist is to ring around and see how much they charge.”
“It will also include information about individual practitioners—their locations and fees and whether they participate in gap-cover arrangements, as well as information about hospitals and insurers and typical out-of-pocket costs under different arrangements. Importantly, patient privacy remains fully protected, with no patient information published. Schedule 2 of the bill addresses another serious consumer issue: phoenixing in private health insurance. Some insurers have exploited existing rules by closing a product and reopening a nearly identical product at a higher price, avoiding ministerial scrutiny. This bill closes that loophole by requiring ministerial approval for all private health insurance products, including changes to cover key terms.”
“No Australian should have to choose between getting the care they need and paying their bills. Importantly, this legislation delivers on our election commitment to improve transparency in healthcare pricing, helping consumers make informed decisions about their health care and private health insurance. Since 2022, specialists and insurers have been able to publish their fees on the Medical Costs Finder, but uptake has been low. Only one to two per cent of specialists and 10 per cent of insurers have provided their data. Schedule 1 of the bill fixes this by allowing government to publish fee and out-of-pocket information using existing Medicare hospital and insurer billing data.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026. This bill is fundamentally about fairness. It is about making sure Australians can make informed decisions about their health care—decisions grounded in transparency, clarity and genuine choice. For too long, too many Australians have been left in the dark about the true costs of private medical treatment. This legislation changes that. Every year, thousands of Australians receive referrals to specialists but never take them up because of cost. In 2024-25 alone, 8.6 per cent of people, more than 800,000 Australians, delayed or missed specialist care due to cost, and these costs are overwhelmingly driven by medical specialist fees. No family should be blindsided by an exorbitant bill.”
“As a pharmacist and as someone who worked at my local hospital for nearly 10 years, the difference that it is making to people in our community is profound. I know that we have more to do, and that will continue to be the focus of our government as we continue to roll out more support through urgent care clinics, Medicare mental health centres and headspace to make sure that every Australian, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances, has access to quality care that is close to home and that is affordable.”
“I recently joined the team at Goodstart Tunmbi Umbi, who have trainees enrolled in fee-free TAFE courses, who are studying to be the next generation of early educators. I want to thank Goodstart Tumbi Umbi for the care that they provide on most days to 120 children. That is close to 200 families getting quality early childhood education also supported by the three-day guarantee, which is making a really big difference in communities like mine. But fee-free TAFE has saved locals a collective $12 million in tuition and course fees. The Albanese Labor government is investing in our communities. It's investing in the outer suburbs, in the regions. We're providing cost-of-living relief, supporting individuals, families and businesses. I'm particularly proud to be part of a government that has restored bulk-billing, so improving access to care.”
“My late father was an engineer and a builder and, proudly, a TAFE teacher. I know the difference that quality education through TAFE has provided over decades in communities like mine on the Central Coast of New South Wales and right around the country, opening up opportunities, career pathways and business opportunities, and driving the local economy for so many local people. I'm pleased to share with the House that more than 13,000 people on the Central Coast have enrolled in a fee-free TAFE course, and many of these enrolments are in early childhood education and aged care, helping to train people in areas where workers are needed, particularly in a growing community like mine.”
“Since we came to government, we've reduced the cost of PBS general prescriptions from $42.50 down to $30 and now down to $25. The last time the PBS general copayment was $25 was early in my career as a pharmacist in 2004. Importantly, and I hear this in pharmacies that I visit right across the country, putting a freeze on concession prescriptions capped at $7.70 until the end of the decade, until 2030, is making a real difference in patients being able to access medication. No-one should be forced to make a decision about delaying or avoiding filling a prescription or skipping a prescription because of cost, and this is making a real difference to people in my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales and right across the country. Another change that's making a really big difference in my community is fee-free TAFE.”
“The year before, in 2022, I had the real pleasure of opening a brand new Headspace in my home town of Wyong, which has been able to support more young people, particularly in our local schools. At the last election, as part of our record $750 million election commitment to youth mental health, we announced that Gosford headspace will be uplifted to a headspace Plus to care for the more complex and ongoing mental health challenges that many young people face today. As a pharmacist, I also want to shine a light on the PBS changes that we've made to make medicines more affordable for all Australians. When we came to government, people were delaying or avoiding filling prescriptions because of cost, which was having an impact on their health and wellbeing.”
“As the minister responsible for headspace, I've now had the privilege of visiting more than 60 headspace centres across the country, from city centres like headspace Marion in Adelaide South to regional centres like headspace Townsville in North Queensland, to services in the most remote parts of our country such as headspace Mutitjulu on the eastern side of Uluru in Central Australia. All our headspace centres are staffed by dedicated teams of clinicians and support staff with a collective goal of supporting young people, and I thank them for their ongoing work and dedication. In my part of the country, headspace Lake Haven continues to support young people on the northern end of the Central Coast, and I was proud to open the new and expanded service in 2023.”
“Operated by Grand Pacific Health, in partnership with Hunter Primary Care, Relationships Australia and Odyssey House, the new Central Coast Medicare Mental Health Centre will offer people in our community free walk-in wraparound care, close to home and when they need it. The centre will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team including psychologists, social workers, counsellors and peer workers. Importantly, the centre will be linked to our virtual network of specialist psychologists and psychiatrists. So if someone walks in and needs that extra expert support, it'll be available to them for free under Medicare. When a young person needs free mental health care, headspace is a safe and welcoming place where they can seek support.”
“Our network of Medicare mental health centres is rapidly expanding, with 53 currently open, growing to 92 over the coming years. Medicare mental health centres are a new service offering wraparound mental health support and care and removing barriers to access. No appointment, no diagnosis, no referral—simply walk in and be greeted by a peer worker, someone who's likely walked in your shoes, because sometimes the best support you can have is from someone with their own lived experience. I'm delighted that a brand new Medicare mental health centre will soon open on the Central Coast. It is expected to be up and running by the middle of this year.”
“Nicole from Deception Bay said: I recently attended the clinic with my 4-year-old. We were seen quickly and did not feel like we were being rushed through for the next person. If you're feeling unsure, I would recommend attending. Parents like Nicole are leading most of the presentations to Medicare urgent care clinics, with about one in four presentations being from children under 15 and more than one in four being out of normal clinic hours. So they are really opening up access to urgent care for children and families. That's what Labor governments do. We listen, we act and we deliver new health services for all Australians. Our government is putting mental health at the heart of Medicare and services in the centre of communities.”
“Crucially, these clinics are helping to ease pressure on Gosford and Wyong hospitals, where around 44 per cent of emergency presentations in the last financial year were for semi-urgent or non-urgent conditions. Across the nation, our Medicare urgent care clinics are having a significant impact. With my responsibilities for rural and regional health, I've opened new Medicare urgent care clinics in Gladstone and Mackay, in Central and North Queensland, as well as in the outer suburbs—including the new Deception Bay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic alongside my friends the member for Petrie and Senator Mulholland. When speaking with locals in these communities across the country, many people have shared with me the difference, the real difference, access to urgent care is making to them and their families.”
“They're all fully bulk-billed, open extended hours and available every day with no appointment required. Since the first clinics opened in mid-2023, there have been more than 2.7 million presentations, including nearly half a million across New South Wales alone. On the Central Coast, we opened two clinics in 2023, one in the north and one in the south. Since then, the Lake Haven and Umina Medicare urgent care clinics have seen more than 60,000 locals. Delivering on our election commitment to open a third Medicare urgent care clinic, I recently joined the member for Robertson for the opening of the new Erina Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. I'm delighted to share with the House that the Erina clinic has already seen more than 3,700 locals in the few short months it's been open.”
“I rise to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No.3) 2025-2026. Since coming to office, the Albanese Labor government has been focused on strengthening Medicare and delivering more accessible and affordable health care for all Australians. As the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health and the federal member for Dobell on the Central Coast of New South Wales, I am proud of the progress that we're making. Firstly, I want to highlight the real difference our network of Medicare urgent care clinics is making in my community and right across the country. Medicare urgent care clinics treat urgent but not life-threatening health conditions—a sprain, fracture, cut, minor infection, burn or viral illness.”
“At the heart of these groups are the selfless volunteers who day in, day out, show up to make a difference in the lives of others and help to build a better community. Since being elected, I'm proud to have delivered more than $542,000 in volunteer grants. The volunteer grants offer between $1,000 and $5,000 in funding to eligible not-for-profit community organisations to support the work of their volunteers. I'm pleased to announce expressions of interest are now open, and I encourage any and all not-for-profit community organisations in Dobell to register their interest with my office.”
“This funding will better support the centre to continue to deliver targeted support through dedicated financial counselling to those who need it in our community. The CEO of the Wyong Neighbourhood Centre, Kylie Hopkins, said: We are thrilled to have been awarded the Financial Counselling Industry Fund Expansion Grant. This vital funding will provide access to financial counselling support for an extra 3 days a week across our two CBD locations in Wyong and Gosford. Additional support will be available with access to a financial capability worker two days a week at our Wyong CBD Community Hub. The financial capability worker will assist people to manage debts, bills and general spending through budgeting, education and support. On the Central Coast we have hundreds of community groups.”
“Just before the busy Christmas-New Year period, Dr Gordon Reid and I had the opportunity to open the new Medicare urgent care clinic at The Hive in Erina Fair. In just a few short months, the clinic has already seen 2,800 visits. I'm proud that Gordon and I have delivered these three clinics across the coast, providing people access to free health care closer to home. The Wyong Neighbourhood Centre continues to play a vital role in the heart of my hometown of Wyong, offering a range of support from youth activities to financial counselling. That's why I'm proud to announce that the Financial Counselling Industry Fund will provide $479,000 over three years to the Wyong Neighbourhood Centre.”
“Well done, PK! The Albanese Labor government is strengthening Medicare and delivering more services in the heart of communities, including on the Central Coast of New South Wales. At the 2022 election we committed to opening two Medicare urgent care clinics on the coast, delivering care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions—open seven days a week over extended hours. In 2023 the Lake Haven and Umina Medicare urgent care clinics opened. Since then they have seen significant demand, supporting more than 58,000 local people. Importantly, one in four of these visits are by children aged under 15, demonstrating that, for local families, our clinics are a trusted alternative to the emergency department. Understanding this need, at the last election we committed to opening a third Medicare urgent care clinic on the coast.”
“It's good to welcome the member for Page back to the dispatch box! I welcome this matter of public importance today. On this side of the House, we understand the pressures that people and families are facing, which is why we are delivering cost-of-living relief for all Australians, from more bulk-billing to cheaper medicine, to student debt relief, to supporting people to buy their first home. It's measures delivered by this Labor government that are helping people. What is not helping people is the division and chaos from those on the other side. Last week the member for Page was on the backbench with his Nationals colleagues. Now he's back at the dispatch box—oh, now he's walking out on the MPI, like the Nationals did to Sussan Ley!”
“I'd like to take the opportunity today in the parliament to again thank them for the work that they have so generously provided—the care, the support, the compassion, the humanity—since 14 December and for the work that they will be providing in the weeks, months and years to come. We will not forget the 15 innocent lives that were taken. What we saw on Bondi Beach that night isn't who we are as Australians. I say to the Jewish community in Sydney, in my home on the Central Coast of New South Wales and across Australia: we will always stand with you. I thank the House.”
“To particularly support young Australians so deeply affected by this attack, we've provided additional funding for headspace, so it can support young people locally and deliver education sessions to schools, staff, students, parents and carers in communities and schools right across the country, including through eheadspace. Recently, I had the honour of joining Her Excellency the Governor-General at headspace Bondi Junction, where we met with staff and heard from them—staff that have been tirelessly supporting young people impacted by the terror attack. On behalf of the parliament, I had the opportunity to thank them that day for the work they're doing supporting young people in their community.”
“We've boosted funding for crisis lines—Lifeline, Beyond Blue, eheadspace, Kids Helpline and 13YARN—to uplift their capacity to meet the growing demand in the wake of this tragedy. And to support first responders, including lifeguards, surf lifesavers and other community members who supported people in this attack, we've delivered funding to the Black Dog Institute's National Emergency Worker Support Service. The service provides online mental health assessment and free psychological sessions at the Black Dog Institute's depression clinic or the University of New South Wales's Traumatic Stress Clinic. We're also rapidly establishing a pop-up Medicare mental health centre in Bondi, offering free, walk-in mental health support and care with a specific focus on trauma support, to be opened in the coming weeks.”
“We know the deep impact an event like this has on communities, which is why our government has responded with comprehensive mental health support in partnership with the New South Wales government, and I acknowledge the efforts of Minister Rose Jackson. This includes dedicated resources to support the Jewish community, the broader Bondi community, first responders, children and young people. It includes focused mental health supports for the Jewish community through organisations with established links to the communities nationally, such as Jewish Care and Jewish House. On behalf of the government, I thank them for the work that they have done already and will continue to do for mental health.”
“We recognise the NSW Police officers who risked their lives, including those who suffered critical injuries running towards danger to protect others. And we acknowledge other first responders, some of whom are here today and whom I had the chance to meet, including paramedics, mental health workers, surf lifesavers and lifeguards who supported people in the immediate aftermath of the violence and in the days and weeks that have followed. We stand with the families that now face grief no-one should ever have to bear. We stand with survivors healing physically and emotionally, and we stand with Australia's Jewish community, whose sense of safety was profoundly shaken that night—who came to Australia as a safe place, a place of refuge, a place that is their home.”
“I rise today to extend the heartfelt condolences of my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales to all of those impacted by the horrific Bondi Beach terrorist attack. On the first night of Hanukkah, on what should have been an evening of peace, celebration and joy for the Jewish community, unimaginable violence took place. Fifteen innocent people were killed, and more than 40 others were injured. It was an antisemitic attack, deliberately targeting Jewish Australians. Today, we honour each of the 15 lives lost. Fifteen innocent people were taken from their families, from their communities. We honour the bravery of those who ran towards danger—people like Boris and Sofia Gurman, who confronted a gunman and were killed while trying to protect others.”
“In fact, since opening in 2023, 27,000 locals have visited the clinic—locals like Marion from Warnervale, who said: After experiencing a deep cut on my hand, I sought treatment at the Urgent Care Clinic at Lake Haven. From reception through to treatment, the care I received was brilliant. I am grateful to have had access to professional and expedient care so close to home. That's why, at the election, as part of our plan to strengthen Medicare, I was proud to commit to expanding the clinic to meet growing need. Now we're delivering on that commitment with funding to grow the workforce, extend opening hours and remodel the treatment spaces. We're also opening a third Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the coming months to deliver care closer to home for people right across the Central Coast.”
“I'm delighted that the Central Coast Council listen to feedback from right across the community, including myself, and kept Vera. After all, there isn't a Vera's Water Garden without our much loved Vera. Vera has been watching over The Entrance foreshore for nearly 30 years and, with this investment and the strong community campaign to protect Vera, she'll be around for many more. I've heard from locals right across the Central Coast who have visited the Lake Haven Medicare Urgent Care Clinic—at its convenient location at the Lake Haven Shopping Centre—because it offers fully bulk-billed care over extended hours seven days a week.”
“Through the Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre, local women and girls will have a place where they can access the specialist care they need close to home. Sara Foster, CEO of the Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre, said: This investment builds on the strong foundation of care our team already provides and enables us to offer even more responsive, multidisciplinary, women-centred health services for women on the Coast to experience disadvantage or barriers to care. Summer on the coast just got even better with the reopening of Vera's Water Garden. I was proud to deliver $750,000 for this project as part of a more than $1 million revitalisation package for The Entrance. This funding has provided new water-play equipment and a zero-depth splash design.”
“I am proud to have secured an endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic for the Central Coast. The clinic will be located within the Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre in Wyoming and is due to open early in the new year. It will provide multidisciplinary care for endometriosis and pelvic pain as well as support for women like me seeking support for perimenopause and menopause. Endometriosis affects at least one in seven Australian women and can have a devastating impact on their daily lives, with pelvic pain being similarly debilitating. The Albanese government is rolling out 33 clinics across Australia—a key part of the government's landmark women's health package—investing almost $800 million in funding to deliver improved health care and access for women and girls.”
“It's a local not-for-profit who received a $4,750 grant for a new sound system. I was glad to visit them a few weeks back, where I spoke with Pamela and their volunteer board. I'd also like to extend my thanks to the local selection panel, made up of Scott Goold, a regional director of Business in NSW; local councillor Margot Castles; and Wyong High School students Layla and Emma, for their contribution.”
“It is essential that we keep up to date with the latest positioning instruments used in emergencies, as well as the constantly evolving software that supports our operations. Ongoing training is critical to ensure volunteers can use this new technology effectively. Our volunteers dedicate significant time and effort to this work, and we operate every day, managing Norah Head, Tuggerah Lakes and Terrigal throughout the week. I am also proud to support We Care Connect with a $15,000 grant to install fans and cooling equipment in their hub, which is staffed by hundreds of local volunteers who generously have supported over 30,000 children and families on the coast and across the Hunter with essential items. That's as well as supporting a brilliant team at Toukley 50 Plus, whose motto is you can teach an old dog new tricks.”
“Tracy told me that this funding will mean every firefighter will have a radio when attending a job, which is vital to information sharing and community safety. Tracy said to me: This now means every fire fighter has a fire ground radio when they're on shift. ALL volunteers on shift are now hearing ALL safety alerts, changes in weather and fire ground alerts. The remaining funding is to go toward purchasing additional batteries for the radios. Now we can change the batteries during the shift so there is continued safety on the job. I also spoke to Julie from Marine Rescue Norah Head and shared with her that they had been successful in receiving a grant of $480,000 for the latest technology, including radios. Julie said to me: This funding is vital to ensure our volunteers remain up to date with both technology and training.”
“I am proud to have supported local community groups and their volunteers through grants for improved infrastructure, new equipment and boosted funding. In total, more than $1.2 million has been provided to local community organisations in my community of Dobell through the Stronger Communities Program and more than $500,000 has been provided through the Volunteer Grants program. This year alone I was proud to secure almost $129,000 for 12 different community groups through the Stronger Communities grants and almost $65,000 for 17 local organisations through the Volunteer Grants. These grants support the vital work of volunteers like the Wamberal Rural Fire Brigade. I had the pleasure of sharing the news with Tracy McDermott that they had been successful in receiving a grant of over $220,000 for new radio equipment.”
“I want to thank those within the pharmacy sector for their advocacy and for acting in the interests of families right across the country, including the Pharmacy Guild, who are in the building today; the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia; AdPha; and others.”
“I was at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia conference in Sydney only two weeks ago, hearing the relief and optimism pharmacists right around the country feel for their people—particularly their patients and their customers—in knowing that medicines are now more affordable and will continue to become more affordable. It is already making a big difference, and it will make an even bigger difference from 1 January next year. I am very proud to speak on the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025, building on the significant work that we've already done. I look forward to 1 January 2026, when we will see the biggest cut to the cost of PBS prescriptions in the history of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.”
“That is on top, as I've already mentioned, of the fact that we've already had the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, that we've frozen the cost of PBS medicines for pensioners and concession card holders, and that we've introduced 60-day prescribing—saving time and money for millions of Australians with ongoing health conditions. This is the fifth tranche, building on the four other significant changes and improvements that we've made to the cost of medicines and to the PBS. I will be heading to the Pharmacy Connect conference next weekend.”
“Today is really a very significant day. It is us now, as a government, enacting our election commitment—the promise that we made to all Australians, wherever they live, that they'll be able to have cheaper medicines. I know the difference that has already made since we cut the cost of prescriptions back in 2023 by $12.50—then the biggest cut to the cost of PBS prescriptions to occur. Now patients, people and families right across the country will know that, from 1 January next year, we will see the biggest reduction in the cost of PBS general prescriptions, with the co-payment going down to $25 per prescription.”
“And—despite those opposite, and a High Court challenge, and Menzies slashing the number of prescriptions on the PBS—the PBS has survived and is now thriving. It is one of the pillars of universal healthcare in Australia, along with Medicare. Before I conclude, I just want to mention some of the work that we're doing in mental health. I was talking to the member opposite about our shared interest in mental health and suicide prevention. Providing medicines more affordably means that people can access the health care that they need. Also we're rolling out services in communities, to make sure that more people have access to support closer to home when they need it. I know that that is a shared interest of everybody in this House—making sure that all Australians can get the support and care that they need.”
“We went to Kuoch Chemist at The Entrance, and pharmacist/owner Raymond was telling me the different that the cut in the cost of PBS prescriptions had already made to so many people in our community and how he was able to make sure that people were able to access the medicines they needed when they needed them, and fewer people were having to delay or avoid filling prescriptions because of cost. I am just so delighted, as a pharmacist and the only pharmacist in this place, and as a member of a Labor government, to know that we founded the PBS—that it was the vision of the Curtin Labor government to make sure, when antibiotics became available, that everybody could have access to them, so that, after the war, people returning and widows and their children would be able to access medication.”