Emma McBride
Dobell · Australian Labor Party · Australia
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“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.”
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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.”
“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 offers those Webster-paks to people living in their own homes, because older people are often taking multiple medications, which we often call polypharmacy. So being able to have their medications packed for them, so they know that they are taking the right medicine at the right time, can go a long way towards people being able to stay safely in their own homes and manage their medications better. Sam is thrilled that he'll be able to support more patients when the next cut in the cost of prescriptions comes into effect on 1 January. I know the member for Hughes has said that he will be going back there and hearing from Sam to see just the difference that it's making in his community. I did have the opportunity to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister to my electorate of Dobell, on the New South Wales Central Coast, recently.”
“He let us know the difference that the cut to the cost of PBS prescriptions had made already and the difference that it would make in the future. We met with the nurse who worked within his pharmacy, and she spoke to us about the difference that, over 20 years, her work has made within that pharmacy. But Sam was also saying to us that, because of the greater investment that our government has made in the PBS, he's not charging patients for the packing of dose administration aids—which people often know as Webster-paks—because that additional cost can sometimes put them out of reach of people. So he proudly displays a sign at the dispensary in his pharmacy that says 'Free Webster-paks'.”
“Just last week I was with Ryan, one of the new owners, in partnership with Jess, at Direct Chemist Outlet in the Central Highlands in Emerald—and Jess, the partner in that business, is actually in the building, in parliament, today—and I met their final-year students, Emma, Meg and Gemma. Ryan, as a relatively new pharmacist/owner, asked me: 'How can I help spread the word? I know just the difference this will make to people and families in my community, and I want to help you spread the word so people know about this sooner.' Last month, I was at Cincotta Discount Chemist in Macquarie Fields with the new member for Hughes, my colleague and friend David Moncrieff, and we were talking to the pharmacist/owner Sam. They were undergoing a big refit of their pharmacy, but he was really generous with his time.”
“It was estimated that, by this time, if our government hadn't slashed the cost of medicines and now had this next cut, the cost of medicines would probably be around $50 for a PBS prescription. It'll now be $25 from 1 January next year. We've also frozen the cost of PBS medicines, with co-payments not rising with inflation for all Australians for the first time in 25 years. That could often be an uncomfortable conversation for pharmacists to have with patients or families at the beginning of each year when medications that they relied on increased in cost. This gives so many patients peace of mind.”
“When I was working in community pharmacy, people still had the PBS cards that they would stick their PBS stickers onto, and I remember the relief when you would say to somebody, 'You've now reached the safety net,' and issue them their safety net card, which meant that, for a concession card holder, they would then receive their medications for free until the end of that year—until Christmas. That made such a big difference, particularly to pensioners. Knowing that they are now reaching the safety net sooner is making a really big difference to people and families. As I mentioned earlier, it will be the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, with the maximum cost of a general script being cut by $12.50 from 1 January next year.”
“Importantly, pensioners and concession card holders will continue to benefit from the freeze to the cost of their PBS medicines, which has been frozen at $7.70 until 2030—as the Prime Minister said earlier today, until the end of the decade. This will keep older people who rely on multiple medications well within our communities and give them peace of mind about the cost of medications. This builds on action we've already taken to deliver cost-of-living relief through cheaper medicines, including more free and cheaper medicines sooner, with a 25 per cent reduction in the number of scripts concession patients must fill before the PBS safety net kicks in.”
“As Minister Butler often says, this is good not just for your health but for your hip pocket. This is a tangible difference that the Albanese Labor government is making. It will provide cost-of-living relief. Having already slashed the cost of medicines in 2023 with the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, we're now going even further, providing even more cost-of-living relief for millions of Australians. This is a more than 20 per cent cut in the maximum cost of PBS medicines, which will save Australians over $200 million each year. This is a saving of $200 million each year for Australians accessing vital medicines.”
“This bill will reduce the PBS general co-payment from $31.60 to $25 from 1 January next year. As a pharmacist working in community pharmacy, I remember the indexation linked to CPI that would happen every year. This now won't happen. This is delivering on the Albanese Labor government's 2025 election commitment. A lot of the former speakers have reflected on the fact that they were in primary school in 2004 when the PBS scripts last cost $25. For me, the last time PBS medicines cost no more than $25, I was working in community pharmacy. I was working as a locum between two community pharmacies on the Central Coast—at Noraville pharmacy and also at the Blooms pharmacy in Wyong. This was more than 20 years ago and it is the last time that general PBS medicines cost $25.”
“I remember parents saying to me, 'Can I get one antibiotic mixture made up to share between my two children?' They were different antibiotics, and that wasn't appropriate, but that was what was happening because of the underinvestment of the previous government in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Patients were forced to skip, delay or avoid filling prescriptions. Young people, families and older people must be able to continue to access the best health care—rather than simply what they can afford to pay—through universal health care in the form of Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Since coming to office, it's been our Albanese Labor government that has been working to deliver cheaper medicines, because that's what Labor governments do, and that's what Australians deserve.”
“Nowadays, every Australian can rely on the PBS to get the medication they need affordably and when they need it. As a pharmacist, a local MP and an assistant health minister, I am incredibly proud of our government for helping to make medicines more affordable for millions of Australians. From my first speech in this place, I have advocated for cheaper medicines. Back in 2016, I said: As a pharmacist, too often I saw patients … forced to make decisions that no-one should have to make about skipping medications … because they simply could not afford to pay. I worked at a TerryWhite pharmacy in Tuggerah. Parents would come in with a shopping load full of groceries and antibiotic prescriptions.”
“Today, as we debate in this place the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025, I think it's important to remember how what we now know as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or the PBS, came to be. It didn't fall from the sky. It was the vision of the Curtin Labor government to provide free prescription medicines to all Australians following the postwar availability of new antibiotic drugs. But it faced significant hurdles, including from those opposite, from a High Court challenge to the opposition of conservative political parties and doctors of the day who viewed the PBS as what they called 'the first step towards nationalising medicine'. The PBS was originally struck down by the High Court, with a constitutional amendment in 1946 paving the way for the scheme's introduction.”
“We've given workers the right to clock off, the right to disconnect. It's so important for people's mental health and wellbeing in our digitally connected lives. I commend the bill to the House and look forward to the tangible difference it will make—the real, meaningful difference it will make—to people and families in my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales and right around the country. I also look forward to welcoming Minister Rishworth to my electorate next week to meet with local workers who will directly benefit from this reform. Thank you.”
“This legislation, importantly, builds on our strong track record of achievement in our first term, including advocating to the Fair Work Commission for minimum and award wage rises every single year since we were first elected in 2022; embedding gender equality and job security as new Fair Work Act objects; banning pay secrecy clauses; criminalising intentional wage theft; stopping the underpayment of workers through the use of labour-hire loopholes; introducing world-leading minimum standards for road-transport workers; and ending the forced permanent-casual loophole, providing a proper pathway to conversion for casuals who want it. I know many people that I worked with as a pharmacist who do such important work in communities and who have been able to benefit from many of these changes.”
“As Minister Rishworth has made clear, this bill does not impose any additional costs or red tape and does not force employers to bargain. As I said, enterprise bargaining remains a key pathway for employers to directly negotiate with employees—and their unions, importantly. I want to recognise the HSU, the union that I belong to, which stands up for and advocates for some of the lowest paid workers that do such vital work in our communities, and also the SDA and their members for the work that they do in retail and hospitality in communities like mine. In concluding, we were as clear back in 2023—when we requested the commission commence a modern award review—as we are now that those efforts to make the awards easier to use should not be at the expense of workers' entitlements.”
“I need to be really clear. This legislation is aimed at protecting existing penalty rates and overtime rates. Enterprise bargaining remains a key pathway for employers to achieve flexibility and productivity gains rather than relying on the erosion of the minimum safety net for wages and conditions. The bill introduces a high-level principle, not a prescriptive rule, making it simple, fair and workable. Penalty rates and overtime rates are fundamental entitlements in modern awards that must be preserved. I note in the chamber is my colleague and assistant minister the member for Cooper, who has dedicated so much of her working life to these principles, advocating for them and upholding them. I'm so proud to stand alongside colleagues like the member for Cooper whilst we debate this legislation.”
“It's something that we committed to in the election campaign. It's something that we're doing right now in this first sitting fortnight because some employers in the retail, clerical and banking sectors have made applications to the commission to trade away the penalty rates of lower-paid workers and leave some workers worse off. That's why we want to see this legislation passed as soon as possible—so that the commission is able to apply this principle in considering those proposals. Of course, we've already seen the shadow minister come out criticising these laws. We all know the coalition doesn't believe in protecting workers' wages or upholding the award safety net and doesn't really recognise the other benefits of this to people's wellbeing with that certainty, stability and financial security it gives to people and families.”
“We have seen a sustained effort from certain employers to roll up penalty rates and overtime rates into a single rate of pay, leaving some employees worse off. The Fair Work Commission is right now considering proposals from employers in the retail, clerical and banking sectors to cut the penalty rates of lower-paid workers who rely on modern awards. This bill—and this is why it's been introduced to the House today and why we are moving on it swiftly—will make sure that, in applications like these before the commission at the moment, no worker will see their pay packet reduced. The bill also seeks to protect Australia's low-paid workers from future wage cuts, something that we are all committed to. As I said, there is an urgency. This is something that is a top priority for our government.”
“Importantly, this bill will provide stronger protection than the status quo because the principle is applied over and above the commission's consideration of the modern award objectives, preventing award variations that have the effect of reducing penalty rates and overtime rates. The test applies to the additional remuneration that any employee would otherwise receive, meaning the provision cannot be in a modern award if there is evidence a single employee would be worse off. As the Prime Minister has said so often, no-one will be worse off and no-one will be left behind. People might ask: why is this change needed? It's very evident why this change is needed. It's clear in the household budgets of people and families right across the country.”
“Parties will still be able to bargain at the enterprise level to reduce existing penalty rates and overtime rates so long as the commission is satisfied the enterprise agreement meets the better off overall test. This bill strengthens the existing protections by preventing the commission from making or varying award terms where they reduce an overtime rate or penalty rate or substitute an overtime rate or penalty rate where it has the effect of reducing the take-home pay attributable to the overtime rates or penalty rates any employee would otherwise receive. This is so important. It matters to so many people and families in regional communities like mine who, as I just mentioned, are relying on this to be able to meet their bills, to have some time with family and to be able to prepare for their growing family.”
“It will make sure award-reliant workers continue to be fairly compensated for working overtime, for working unsocial hours and for working irregular or unpredictable hours, weekends, public holidays or shifts, as so many people do in regional economies around the country that are underpinned by retail, tourism and hospitality, like my region on the Central Coast of New South Wales. The bill preserves the commission's existing powers under section 144 to insert flexibility terms into awards and allow employers and employees to enter into individual flexibility arrangements, including to vary penalty and overtime rates, as long as the existing legislated safeguard of making sure they are, importantly, better off compared to the standard terms is met. It's worth noting the safeguards in the enterprise bargaining framework remain unchanged.”
“It's important because this bill will commence the day after it receives royal assent, reflecting our government's election commitment to move quickly to protect penalty and overtime rates for Australia's lowest paid workers, including Emily, who's expecting her new baby in my community. It'll make a real difference, a tangible difference. As I've just said, it'll give people the time to breathe, to enjoy their families, to feel supported, to have stability and to know that they're safe.”
“That's why this legislation is important, that's why we committed to it in the election campaign and that's why we're making sure that it goes through the House now so that workers, as soon as five o'clock tomorrow night, might know that these penalty rates and overtime rates are protected. In simple terms, the bill adds a new section, 135A, to the act to establish a clear principle that, when exercising its powers to make, vary or revoke modern awards, the Fair Work Commission must ensure the specified penalty of overtime rates are not reduced and that modern awards do not include terms that substitute employees' entitlements to receive penalty or overtime rates where those terms would have the effect of reducing the additional remuneration any employee would otherwise receive. The timing is really critical.”
“It gives her room to be able to save a little for her bubba and to help her move to make sure that, as she says, her new little family have a roof over their heads. It also helps in times when the bills pile up and when costs of rent and rego are due, and she said penalty rates help her and other people like her not just financially but with their mental health and wellbeing too. She said people make the sacrifice to work the extra day or extra hours to be able to breathe and relax and to be able to share a dinner with friends and not have to worry about the bills.”
“Her daughter missed out on playing sports and other activities of an afternoon or weekend because her mum simply had to work. It also affected her daughter's wellbeing as her mum was not around for her, because her mum had to work those long hours on the evenings and on the weekend. She said that she often went to work when she was sick because, if she stayed home sick, she would lose her penalty rates. Another worker in my electorate, who is another woman and also a young person, is Emily. She's 27 years old, and she works at a major retail outlet. She said she's currently expecting her first little girl in the midst of moving houses, and on her normal rates it's a struggle to be able to afford the basic necessities. But, with penalty rates, they let her breathe.”
“I rise to speak on this important legislation, the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025, which gives action to a critical election commitment of our government. I wanted to start with a local person in my community who will be directly affected by this. Her name is Elissa. She's 43 years old. She has a daughter, and she's worked at a major supermarket in my community for 18 years. During that time, she's missed out on being there for her daughter at nights, after school and on the weekend. She needed to work those hours for the extra pay the penalty rates provided. She was not there to help her daughter with homework; she was not there to read to her or to tuck her into bed at night.”
“No matter how difficult it is, life is good when you are happy but much better when others are happy because of you.' After years of humble service as a priest, bishop, archbishop, cardinal and pope, Francis now rests in eternal life with the Lord. May he rest in everlasting peace.”
“My niece, Arna, recently celebrated her first holy communion, and my nephew, Oscar, will have his confirmation tomorrow night. I'm disappointed that I can't be there, but he is taking on the name of John as his confirmation name. As a Catholic, I reflect, today, on the humble life of service of Pope Francis. My godson, Gabriel, sent me today his favourite quote of Pope Francis to share with us: 'Rivers do not drink their own water. Trees do not eat their own fruit. The sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We're all born to help each other.”
“He encourages each and every one of us to be pilgrims of hope as he declared this year Jubilee of Hope.' He finishes: 'Who can ever forget this lovely and full life of service to God, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who, at the very last moments of his earthly life, wanted to serve God and his people.' My parents raised my brother, sister and I on the teachings of the Catholic Church, and I attended the local Catholic primary school, St Cecilia's in Wyong, and then went on to Mater Dei College and Corpus Christi College—now St Peter's Catholic College in Tuggerah. When my mother, who is on the parish council, contacted Father Raul for some quotes for today, he was offering mass in the local high school. Now, I see my nieces and nephews growing in their faith.”
“Father Raul, on behalf of the Wyong Catholic Parish, said of Pope Francis: 'Remembering a man of God who touched the hearts of millions of the people around the world, a man of deep faith with a unique way of leading the Catholic Church, inspiring even non-Christians and non-believers.' Father Raul goes on: 'He was a man of humility, compassion and mercy, especially for the marginalised and those living on the periphery of society.' He continues: 'One thing that makes him so special as well is when he took the name of Francis, the only pope to do so, because, like Francis of Assisi, he was a man of the poor and he cared so much for the environment.' Lastly: 'He was a man of hope.”
“His ability to connect with people, understand them and offer mercy led to him being respected and revered far beyond followers of the Catholic faith. In my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Francis was widely respected for his simple, humble life of service and his approach, through social justice, focused on supporting disadvantaged people and protecting the planet for future generations.”
“In 2016, Benedict announced that he would resign—the first pontiff to stand down in 600 years. On 13 March 2013, the papal conclave elected Bergoglio as the Bishop of Rome, the new Pope. Stepping out onto the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to the celebrations of Catholics across the world, the new Pope would be known as Francis—a name he chose because, like Francis of Assisi, who he honoured, he had a special place in his heart for ministry for the poor, the disenfranchised and those facing injustice. Francis stood on the balcony in white wearing a simple iron cross he'd had for many years, substantially different to the gold worn by his predecessors. Throughout his papacy, Francis brought the Catholic Church into the 21st century, modernising it and opening it up to more believers and people of faith around the world.”
“True to his nature, which the world would come to know years later, Bergoglio undertook significant reforms across the archdiocese to reduce exorbitant spending, instead connecting the church with poor and disadvantaged communities. He regularly celebrated Holy Thursday by washing the feet of people in local jails, hospitals, retirement homes and slums. In 2001, Pope John Paul II made Bergoglio a cardinal. His humble lifestyle meant he spent most of his time in South America, and, unlike many of these fellow cardinals, he would only visit Rome for short periods of time, commonly known in Catholic circles as lightning visits. In 2005, as a cardinal, Bergoglio took part in the papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. At the time, he himself was considered a frontrunner for the papacy.”
“On behalf of my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales, I rise to join others speaking on the condolence motion for Pope Francis and to pay my respects to a man who dedicated his life simply to humble service. Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 19 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 1958, as a young man, he took inspiration from a priest while attending confession and began years of study at his local seminary. In 1969, he was ordained by the archbishop and joined the priesthood. Over the years, he rose through the Catholic Church in South America before assuming the role of archbishop.”
“I'm so proud that, working alongside Central Coast Industry Connect and the University of Newcastle, I've been able to secure more than $17 million for the Ourimbah food manufacturing hub. This is government working together with industry and research to be able to provide significant investment in a quality project that will create hundreds of jobs in one of the biggest sectors in our community. Recently—just before Christmas, in fact—I had the opportunity to visit stage 1 of the hub, which has opened at the university's Ourimbah Campus, and work is well under way on the permanent home nearby. I congratulate Frank Zammit, Central Coast Industry Connect and all who have been part of this project.”
“I recently joined the Wednesday ladies tennis for a match, and they told me how much upgrades have improved play and safety and encouraged new members to join the club. Wyong Tennis has, for over a century, been a place for people to meet, play and stay active. It was the first place where I learnt to play tennis, and I'm so proud to have been able to make this commitment to Wyong District Tennis Association. I want to thank Leoni Baldwin from the tennis club for the work that she's done on behalf of that club and our community. In case you didn't know, when it comes to food manufacturing, it's all happening on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Australian and globally recognised brands, like Sanitarium and Mars, produce some of our country's most beloved pantry staples and snacks right in the heart of my community.”
“New pumps and pipes have now significantly improved water quality, and I've heard from many locals when I'm at the baths myself who've told me what a difference this has made for regular swimmers; for visitors; for the Tuggerah Tuffs, which my father was a proud patron of; and for the Entrance Amateur Swimming Club. Towards the end of last year, the community came together to celebrate these upgrades. My brother Nick joined the swimming race, cheered on by his No. 1 fan, my mum, Barbie. A special thank you to my brother Iggi, who cooked the excellent barbecue, which was enjoyed by everybody. I'm proud to have delivered on my election commitment of $100,000 for Wyong Tennis to resurface their main courts.”
“Like so many locals growing up on the coast, I spent many long, hot summers swimming at the Entrance Ocean Baths with my brothers and sister. In 2018, our family was honoured when the Central Coast Council unanimously voted to rename the baths after my late father, Grant, in recognition of his campaign to save, restore and heritage list the baths in the early 2000s for our community. Before the last election, I committed to $250,000 towards the ocean baths as part of a broader $1 million package to revitalise the Entrance. Work has included new shade sails and upgrades to the clubhouse.”
“It helps build the skills children will need for the jobs of the future. Quality early childhood education and care is best considered as an investment, not a cost. Investment in early childhood education provides a strong return, with a variety of studies indicating benefits of 2-4 times the costs. I know, Deputy Speaker Freelander, as a paediatrician and someone who represents a community not dissimilar to mine in terms of families and their circumstances, your strong push for the first 100 days—”
“The individual stories I have heard are backed in by substantial evidence and expert advice, including through the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee report from last year and the Women's Economic Equality Taskforce before that. Going further back, the Lifting our game report of 2017 by Sue Pascoe AM and Professor Deborah Brennan offered the then government the platform to push this work forward. It's worth reflecting on. I'll quote from some of this report. It says: Children who participate in high quality early childhood education are more likely to complete year 12 and are less likely to repeat grades or require additional support. It goes on: High quality early childhood education also has broader impacts; it is linked with higher levels of employment, income and financial security, improved health outcomes and reduced crime.”
“The increase will also help to recruit and retain new staff as our community's needs expand, with a waiting list of over 530 children for our centre alone.' These are the words of the centre director, who I had the privilege of catching up with not long after, as I said, the students had graduated. It was evident from the young children in that centre the educational opportunities, care, support and dedication provided by the early childhood educators. For a long time, they have been undervalued and haven't been properly remunerated for the contribution that they make. I'm so pleased to be part of a government that's improving that. I know it's been very well received in my electorate.”
“It was the day after the older children had graduated. They were very excited to have been graduating from early learning and being off to start school. The educators, when I visited, just wanted to let me know the difference that some of Labor's policies in this area are making to them but more importantly to the children and families that they have the privilege of working with. This is what the centre director, Shann Crain, told me: 'The wage increase has had a massive impact for educators. Most members of the team have worked here for 10 years. This increase has meant that they can stay in their roles, continuing to provide the high-quality care and support our families have come to expect.”
“In the space of one year under the activity test, the number of children from low-income families in early education plummeted from around 32,000 to just 6,500, an 80 per cent decline in young children from low-income families being able to have the best start in life due to early childhood education. It's time to rectify this major policy mistake and the impact that it's had on young children and families. This bill will increase entitlements to more than 100,000 families across the country, growing education opportunities and easing cost-of-living pressure for families and household budgets. It's a big step towards universal early education, building on our government's cheaper childcare policy and our 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators. I recently visited some educators. I visited Woongarrah Goodstart in my electorate.”
“The bill before us offers a possibility for all Australian families to be guaranteed three days of childcare subsidy each fortnight. It will replace the Liberal Party's activity test, with a three-day guarantee to operate from the beginning of next year, from 2026. For First Nations children and those with parents in work, study and training, the guarantee will be 100 hours of childcare subsidy per fortnight. The activity test didn't work. It didn't work in my community; it didn't work across the country. It did not support parents into more paid work. It just penalised children from low-income families and left them further behind.”
“It's as much about their education as it is about their personal development and their socialisation. This early stage of education is key. The evidence on that point is well and truly settled. We in the Labor Party come to this policy area with a simple goal: how do we give every Australian child the best start in life, and the opportunity to benefit from early education and enjoy the life opportunities which flow from it? The answer, like the question, is a simple one: we reduce the barriers to early education for those who are missing out. In my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales, where many families face these barriers, this legislation presents a big opportunity: the chance for real change.”
“In my time in this parliament, I have had the privilege of meeting children and educators and families right across the Central Coast of New South Wales. From The Entrance to Wyong, Long Jetty to Wyoming, Lake Haven to Lisarow and Warnervale to Bateau Bay, I have seen the magic of these early learning centres. I have sat in awe of the educators who bring them to life. I've visited with the minister and with my colleague the member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid. Deputy Speaker Freelander, like you, I have now been here long enough to see many of those children grow up and start primary school and even to see some of them start high school, taking with them the foundational skills and capabilities learnt in those very early years. This stage of education is key to future learning and growth in everyone.”
“As I mentioned, as someone who has worked in acute mental health inpatient units in Wyong Hospital in my electorate, I cannot express the profound difference that putting mental health in the heart of Medicare and putting services in the heart of communities is making to people right around the country. I want to finish with the story of Ken from Gladstone— (Time expired)”
“Soon, we will have a new national early intervention service where anyone in distress who needs support can call up over the phone or video and be given that earlier intervention. We know the earlier the intervention, the less the impact and duration of their distress. We're also, as I mentioned, rolling out Medicare mental health centres where someone can walk in without an appointment and without a referral to get free wraparound support and care because we know that sometimes the support that someone needs is holistic wraparound support and care.”
“As the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, I was so pleased to be able to secure nearly $30 million in additional funding to establish a virtual network that means psychologists and psychiatrists are available in every centre. If someone walks into a centre in Richmond, in Macquarie, or they walk into the centre in Tuggerah on the Central Coast, they will be connected to a network of specialist psychiatrists and psychologists who are able to meet their needs. It's making such a big difference. I've worked in mental health and health for all of my working life. We have worked collaboratively with the states and territories, with service providers and with clinicians to be able to reform mental health and suicide prevention in Australia.”
“Recently, I was pleased to officially launch the Medicare mental health centre in Tuggerah Business Park. It is offering free walk-in mental health support and care for everyone. I note my colleague, the member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, is here. She's a really strong and passionate advocate for mental health services and she was delighted to also have the opportunity to be at the official opening of the service in her community, as well. This is making such a big difference to people in communities right across the country. This is free walk-in care for people, and they don't need a referral or have to wait for an appointment. They are able to access psychologists, counsellors and social workers.”
“In late 2023, the Umina and Lake Haven Medicare urgent care clinics opened, offering free walk-in urgent care seven days a week over extended hours. I am so pleased to update the House that, since opening, the Lake Haven Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has seen more than 15,000 people. That's 15,000 local people who've been able to have walk-in free quality care. It's also important to let the House know that almost a third of those people are children under 15. It's become a trusted alternative to the emergency department, particularly for families. Almost a third of those visits are out of hours. People would otherwise have been forced to go to an already stretched emergency department. This is making such a big difference in the community that I live in and represent.”