Anne Stanley
Werriwa · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Time today does not permit me to speak on the other parts of our health system, particularly the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and this government's support for our public hospitals across the country, but suffice it to say that, along with the pillar of bulk-billing, the picture looks wonderful.”
“Previously, more than 1,400 of these were mixed billing practices. The upshot of this means that approximately 97 per cent of the population is now within a 20-minute drive of a bulk-billing practice.”
“My parents and our country were excited for Medibank; there would be no more bankruptcy to stay healthy. The disdain for the universal healthcare system from those opposite was established from the outset, as far back as 1975.”
“Indeed, Medicare and the PBS are among the most trusted federal public services in the country. Medicare is central to Labor's philosophy and DNA. We will always defend it and strengthen it. To that end, the matter before us today is yet another step in the Medicare story.”
“By introducing these amendments, the government will strengthen the way it provides financial incentives to primary care providers and ensure the integrity of existing and future incentive programs.”
“Since the urgent care clinic network commenced in 2023, there have been more than 623,000 bulk-billed visits in New South Wales. In Werriwa, the newly opened urgent care clinic in Austral has seen thousands of patients, which both helps those who need to see a GP and takes the pressure off our stretched public hospitals.”
The complete record
Every one of 317 lines we hold for Anne Stanley, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 7.
“I rise to advise that our community and the local Labor Party family lost a longstanding member when Mr Walter Edward Glynn passed away just before Christmas last year. Wal was 91 years old and had been married to his wonderful wife, Nel, for 70 years. Wal rose to the rank of major in the Australian Army, serving as a training officer in Malaya. After he was discharged, he continued his career in education, lecturing at the Sydney Institute of Education. Wal also served his community with distinction, spending eight years as a councillor on Campbelltown council. Wal was also heavily involved in his church and community charities. I was privileged to be mentored by Mr Glynn. I found Wal's support while we were serving as councillors invaluable, especially when I first decided to run for Werriwa.”
“Its role in helping Australians acquire the skills and qualifications they need will only grow with time. For Australia, there's no turning back. We must embrace the challenges identified in the final report of the Australian Universities Accord. Not only that; we need to ensure that the overall governance of our tertiary education system makes us a match for decades to come. The establishment of ATEC will mean that our best and sharpest minds will be devoted to this incredibly important sector. I commend the bills to the House and thank the minister for his leadership in implementing these reforms in the university sector.”
“The ATEC will have three commissioners and will report to the Minister for Education on higher education matters and to both the Minister for Education and the Minister for Skills and Training on delivering a more connected tertiary education system. Annually, ATEC will produce a state and territory education system report on the tertiary education system. The second bill before us is the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. This bill amends the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 and the Higher Education Support Act 2003. The result of this bill is to allow ATEC to advise the minister on higher education frameworks and facilitate the new mission based compact process. The Australian higher education system is first class.”
“These compacts will give universities the flexibility they need to pursue goals while also contributing to the overall diversity within the higher education system, helping to deliver higher education priorities and meeting the needs of students and communities. In addition, ATEC will be responsible for implementing a new funding system—a system that will provide demand driven places for equity students at a system level. ATEC will also provide expert advice to the government on a range of education matters, including policy settings, strategic direction, student demand, the cost of teaching and learning in higher education, and improving access and participation.”
“It's a wonderful addition to Liverpool for the students of south-west Sydney. A key recommendation of the accord was the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, ATEC. The bill before us now aims to implement this recommendation. An interim ATEC, which started on 1 July 2025, has laid the foundations for the establishment of the permanent body. Professor Tom Calma and the Hon. Fiona Nash have recently been appointed as commissioners, replacing Professor Mary O'Kane and Distinguished Professor Behrendt. They join Professor Barney Glover, who has been appointed as chief commissioner alongside his role as commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia. The role of ATEC is multifaceted and broad. It will be responsible for implementing new mission based compacts with universities.”
“Those already implemented include increasing the number of free university bridging courses, introducing paid prac for the first time, cutting 20 per cent off HECS debts and doubling the number of university study hubs. Regarding the last one, I'm particularly proud to say that there is now a hub in Macquarie Fields at the TAFE. While no longer in the electorate of Werriwa, I fought hard for the hub, knowing it would make a real difference and lasting change for many. Just before Christmas, the Minister for Education opened the Liverpool suburban study hub in the TAFE building on Moore Street and Bigge Street in Liverpool. The hub will support more than 350 students a week in 60 study places. There are individual and collaborative areas with computers, wi-fi, printers and videoconferencing.”
“The accord's final report states: Higher education is vital to Australia's future: the knowledge, skills and research it produces enable us to be an economically prosperous, socially equitable and environmentally sustainable nation. By encouraging intellectual endeavour, creativity and personal accomplishment, it adds to the quality of our lives. Pursuing truth through free discussion, it promotes democracy and civic values. One of the astonishing findings of the final report was that, by 2050, the number of people in the workforce who need a certificate, diploma or degree will rise to about 80 per cent. This is a challenging and sobering statistic, but it's a challenge that we need to embrace and meet. The accord made 47 recommendations, and, of these, 31 have already been implemented.”
“It would seem like a modest sum, but 50 years ago it was the start of something wonderful that would shape our part of the world for the better. Years later, Mr Whitlam cemented his support for WSU when he chose it to be the home of his prime ministerial collection and the Whitlam Institute—both are well worth a visit. Labor is the party of education. The Albanese Labor government carries the standard now for the current generation. Labor has always believed that through education living standards can rise, poverty will be reduced and opportunities will be created for all Australians and for a prosperous Australia. In February 2024, the government released the final report of the Australian Universities Accord. The review was asked to create a long-term plan for reform.”
“I rise to make my contribution to the legislation before the House, which is the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. The electorate that I represent is home to the outstanding Western Sydney University. With campuses in Liverpool, Campbelltown, Parramatta and Hawkesbury, Western Sydney University is a vital part of life in my part of Sydney. The history of WSU goes back to the vision of Gough Whitlam, who is my predecessor in Werriwa. It was Gough, through the then education minister Kim Beazley Sr, who announced nearly $100,000 in funding to the New South Wales government for the establishment of a university in Campbelltown.”
“This is good news for designated registered nurses, good news for patients, particularly in rural and remote areas, and good news for stressed primary and aged-care health settings in the rest of the country. I commend the bill to the House.”
“It is anticipated that the first cohort of designated nurse prescribers will complete their education and receive endorsement from July this year. In anticipation of this, all states and territories are currently amending their drug and poison legislation to enable registered nurses to prescribe, to meet that 26 July timeframe. Australia deserves the world's best health system, and, as part of this, we need to ensure that all Australians, wherever they live, can get affordable medicines when they need them and have them prescribed by someone they trust. This bill will help to deliver on this aim. Under this bill, highly trained designated nurses will be able to extend their scope of practice, primarily in primary care and aged-care services.”
“Further, the bill will amend the Health Insurance Act 1973 to include registered nurses to enable review of the provision of their prescribing services by the Professional Services Review Scheme. The government has consulted widely with groups including the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the AMA, palliative care services, the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives and the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association. I am pleased that medical professionals support the designated nurse prescribing based on the requirement that they must practice in partnership with an authorised health practitioner under the active prescribing agreement.”
“I've already mentioned EDs, hospitals and primary care, but there's also the PBS system, Medicare, bulk-billing, urgent care clinics, gold card benefits for veterans and the National Immunisation Program. Underpinning all of this is the world's best-trained health workforce. The bill before us seeks to support our health workforce by amending the National Health Act 1953. Specifically, the bill supports the Albanese Labor government's election commitment to prioritise implementation of scope-of-practice reforms for nurses and midwives. In practical terms, the bill proposes to amend the National Health Act 1953 to allow a registered nurse endorsed against the registration standard to be an authorised prescriber. This will allow them to prescribe certain medicines that can be supplied under the PBS.”
“The Albanese government has implemented many initiatives since being elected to ensure that Australians can see a doctor when they need to and that they have the appropriate care that is required. Just last week, the Medicare urgent care clinic promised by the Albanese government in Werriwa opened for patients. It is opening extended hours, and it means that people seeking medical assistance for things like stitches or illness will not face the long wait in emergency departments. The government has made the biggest investment into the health system in decades, prioritising primary health care with bulk-billing initiatives. There are so many pillars to our health system.”
“I rise to make my contribution to the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025. Australia arguably has the best health workforce in the world. They are well trained, up to date and regulated to ensure that best practice is followed. On the occasion when things do go wrong, we must admit and then do something about it. Our health system has checks and balances to ensure that the independent investigations are undertaken and appropriate measures are implemented to ensure better outcomes in the future. The demands of our health system are constant. We're all living longer and largely healthier lives, but, with an increasing population, this inevitably places more pressure on our system, particularly at our emergency departments and hospitals.”
“The legislation will also expressly provide for other services provided by TIS National, including development, training and supporting translators and interpreters for the purposes of TIS National's core functions. I can only begin to imagine the difficulties constituents face when English is not their first language. Thank goodness that, when it's needed, TIS National is available. I know firsthand the wonderful work it does. It's a terrific investment in ensuring that everyone can fully participate in our society. Such a service requires our support not only in a budgetary sense but also for a legislative framework that ensures it can carry out its vital functions and service without worry or concern. I commend the bill to the House, but I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and interpreters at TIS National.”
“Specifically, the bill establishes a statutory framework for the services provided by TIS National within the Department of Home Affairs. The proposed legislation sets out the functions provided by TIS National and will ensure clear and enduring statutory support for these functions. It's particularly noteworthy that the legislation will enable the Secretary of the Department to provide or arrange the provision of translating services to the Commonwealth or agencies and to the states and territories or agencies. It will allow for the facilitation of communication by a person with these Commonwealth, state or territory agencies, authorities, bodies, organisations or office holders.”
“Then, there's the free interpreting service and the free translation service for key non-government entities, including doctors, pharmacists, trade unions, real estate agencies and parliamentarians. The FTS also provides new arrivals with free translation into English of key personal documents to support their participation in education, employment and community life. Finally, TIS National also supports the training and development of translators and interpreters. In 2024, advice provided by the Australian Government Solicitor, the AGS, advised that TIS National required express legislative authority, in particular, in relation to services provided to private-sector bodies. This bill, then, is vital in addressing the risks identified by the AGS in its legal advice.”
“The funding of the service for all three levels of government, plus the private sector and individuals, underscores that language is important and is not an optional or discretionary service. Rather, it's fundamental to safety, participation, fairness and equality. The services provided by TIS National are exceptional and world class. It provides translation and interpreting services to government agencies across all three tiers of government. Telephone interpreting services are key here, but there is also remote interpreting via video and onsite interpreting and translating services. It provides 24/7 telephone interpreting—supporting triple zero services, hospitals, courts and other urgent needs.”
“It means the constituent can properly express themselves and be guaranteed that any confusion or misunderstanding can be dealt with promptly, and it adds another benefit. A number of times in my electorate office the children of constituents have acted as interpreters for their parents. I thoroughly understand why this is the case, but it can be far from ideal for any number of reasons. Using TIS means the use of children as an intermediary isn't necessary, and, if nothing else, it frees them to go back to school and allows them to still be children. The Australian government began providing translation services in 1947 and interpreting services in the 1950s. The original aim was to support and help post-World-War-II migrants, and the services provided by TIS are fundamental to full participation in our society.”
“With regard to parenting, just over 68 per cent of Werriwa residents state that both parents were born overseas compared to the national average of 36 per cent. The diversity in my electorate is one of the things that I love about it, but it still can present challenges—especially when helping constituents with their matters. One of the most important tools for me and my staff is the national Translating and Interpreting Service, TIS National. Using TIS is often a game changer. When language barriers emerge, either over the counter or more likely on the phone, a quick call to TIS National can make all of the difference. It's not an exaggeration to say you can hear the barriers fall away as constituents speak to an interpreter in their own language.”
“Dealing with the complexities of life is difficult at the best of times. Paperwork, red tape, rules, regulations and just paying bills take up an incredible amount of time, not to mention patience. Then, of course, there's the issue of computers. If the connection isn't down, then the printer can almost certainly be jammed. For those of us whose first language is English, what I've described is manageable—if only just, at times. But it is so much more isolating if English is not your first language. My electorate is home to 152 discrete language groups. The data in the 2021 census is revealing in this regard. Sixty-six per cent of households in the electorate of Werriwa use a language other than English at home. Of these, Arabic, Vietnamese, Hindi, Assyrian Neo-Aramaic and Spanish are the most common.”
“I'd also like to congratulate the OAM recipients in the electorate of Werriwa, including Mr Anthony Keating for his contributions to community, which were recognised on Australia Day. But I want to give a huge shout-out to David Millott of Prestons Hornets Cricket Club for his recognition and his award. He has spent almost 50 years volunteering with Prestons Cricket, and he made a difference in my children's life and so many others—congratulations.”
“In a couple of weeks, New Year celebrations will be in full swing for Chinese New Year, and I look forward to our celebrations at the Mingyue temple in Bonnyrigg. James Chan OAM and Vincent Kong and all the volunteers make the event a colourful celebration, with fireworks, lion dances and musical numbers. I was privileged to speak at the 2026 Australia Day and Lunar New Year event organised by the Chinese Associations of Greater Western Sydney. This event has also been held for over a decade, bringing together so many of our wider, diverse community. And, in the coming weeks, there will be iftars and Easter celebrations. I thank all of the volunteers and our community organisations for ensuring these events highlight the best of what we have to offer—great food and entertainment but, more importantly, great company.”
“It proves to me that we are more alike than we are different and what is important to all of us are our family, our friends and faith. In the last month, I've attended the Iraqi graduates forum's celebration of success on Australia Day. The event has been held for more than 15 years and celebrates the academic achievements of those with Iraqi heritage in our community, and it's those students who do well in their HSC, in TAFE and in university. The results are always inspiring, with more than 20 students recognised for HSC results over 90 and one getting over 99. Degrees in all areas of study are also recognised. Congratulations to Dr Bushra and the volunteers of the board, who work so hard to make this event a success.”
“Representing a multicultural electorate like Werriwa is a privilege. It means that I receive so many generous invites to community, religious and other celebrations. These events highlight what is best about having people from all around the globe choose Australia, and, more importantly, Werriwa, as their home. New Year celebrations in Werriwa start on 1 January and continue till August, cycling through Chinese New Year, the Tet festival, Cambodian celebrations, Assyrian New Year and Mandaean New Year late in July. The commemorations continue for Australia Day. And I'm looking forward to the many iftars during Ramadan, which starts in the middle of February. While this makes the days very busy, it is humbling to be part of a community and join with their observances.”
“For some time, our community has had access to urgent care clinics located in both Liverpool and Campbelltown. I'm delighted that my constituents will now have access to a third clinic located in Austral. Austral joins over 120 clinics Australia-wide. This is great news and will complement the existing network of bulk-billing GPs in Werriwa. The opening of the new UCC in Werriwa demonstrates again that it is the Albanese government which is delivering for our community.”
“When it comes to bolstering health care—and, in particular, Medicare—the Albanese Labor government's record is second to none. The government's record investment in health has been a real game changer for people in my community. As a result of boosting the bulk-billing incentives for GPs, bulk-billing numbers are way up. Not only that, but the government has also made sure that scripts at the chemist are cheaper. Then there is the record investment in mental health, women's health and funding for our hospitals. One of the key initiatives also introduced by the Albanese Labor government was bulk-billed Medicare urgent care clinics that have opened across the country. These Medicare urgent care clinics make it easier for Australians to get the urgent treatment they need, free of charge. They are also taking the pressure off our hospitals.”
“My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. Why is the passage of the Albanese government's gun reforms so important for Australians? What would it have meant to the Bondi terror attack and what opposition has there been?”
“May those who lost their lives at Bondi Beach be forever remembered and honoured. May those who lost loved ones be comforted by Australians that grieve with you. May those injured be healed, and may the Jewish community be affirmed and wrapped in the support of the love of our community.”
“Overwhelmingly we have seen the best of our fellow Australians. It is that community spirit we must now harness to make sure that as a parliament we do our best to ensure that an act of such violence does not happen again. As a community we must recognise and value each person for their right to be part of our Australian society and recognise everyone's right to contribute and be supported by our community. Antisemitism and the violence that we have seen to certain ethnic groups and religions must stop now. As Australians we must call out hate wherever it is directed. We must ensure that we support each other and realise that we are all so much more alike than different. Religion is never a reason for violence and never a reason to take another person's life.”
“Out of the horror of that night Australia saw what is the best of our society, perhaps because Bondi had already been touched by violence such a short time ago. Shopkeepers and residents opened their doors to shelter people to keep them safe. We will never know how many people were saved by the actions of others. Bystanders on the beach used their own bodies to shield children and saved more lives. They showed kindness. First responders ran into the face of danger to help. The vision of the lifesavers running from neighbouring beaches with first-aid kits to help will stay with me forever. They are always the best in our community, and they did not fail to step up and support. We also saw so many Australians waiting for hours in line to give blood and provide other supports, because they wanted to help and be part of this community.”
“Every death diminishes our society, and those whose lives are cut short because of violence leave a void for the people they've left behind and a void for the wider community—places at celebration tables that are forever empty, a life's history not written nor told. For the families of the 15 people who died at Bondi on the night of 14 December, I offer my thoughts and condolences and those of our community in Werriwa. We stand with you in your pain and hope that time will allow you to remember those treasured people for the beauty they had and contributed not for the horror in which they died. For those who were injured, some still in hospital or starting the long journey of rehabilitation, we stand with you, willing your health to return as soon as possible.”
“The amendments in this bill will allow for the implementation and maintenance of the public register of approved work sponsors on the Department of Home Affairs website. This will ensure transparency and, more importantly, protection for the rights of temporary skilled migrant workers, who do so much to assist the Australian economy and Australians in general. I commend the bill to the House.”
“The company came under scrutiny late last year in relation to misleading information in their migrant worker sponsorship application and were subsequently sanctioned for serious noncompliance. ABF officers across the country are actively scrutinising the status of employers' sponsorship agreements, as well as regularly making unannounced visits to workplaces to protect workers and expose employers who are exploiting migrant workers. We should note that not all employers behave like this. If we don't do something about those that are doing the wrong thing, it tars everybody with the same brush, so good employers will be happy with this legislation as well. To maintain the integrity of the skilled migrant system in Australia, it's important that employers are approved by the Department of Home Affairs.”
“These measures are designed to drive employer compliance under the Migration Act, which was unfortunately deprioritised over the past decade. The ABF will receive $50 million over the next four years to assist them to improve employer compliance as well as other immigration compliance priorities. Disappointingly, the former Liberal government failed to implement the key recommendations in the Migrant Workers' Taskforce report, which they sat on from 2019. These new powers, it's good to say, are already reaping results. Last month, under strong new laws introduced by the Albanese Labor government, a Western Australian business became the first in the nation to be publicly named and shamed by the Australian Border Force for exploiting vulnerable migrant workers. It was the first prohibition notice introduced under the SEC Act.”
“There are also increases to the maximum criminal and civil penalties for all current and proposed work related offences provisions in the Migration Act. And it provides Border Force with the tools to address employer compliance. There are revisions to the regulation-making power in the Migration Act to ensure worker exploitation must be taken into consideration if there is a need to cancel a visa. Higher penalties and additional powers for the Australian Border Force will be included. The bill increases the maximum penalties available under the Migration Act for work related breaches. Penalties will almost triple: for civil penalties, up to $99,000 for individuals and $495,000 for bodies corporate. In addition, the ABF will gain new compliance notice and enforceable undertaking powers.”
“There will be no personal identification for the nominated workers included in the register's documentation. This bill addresses the recommendations made in the report of the Migrant Workers' Taskforce, as well as additional measures to tackle exploitation of vulnerable workers on temporary visas. The exploitation of temporary visas hurts all workers, drives down all wages and worsens conditions for everyone. This bill also establishes new criminal offences and associated civil penalties to deter employers from using a visa condition or status to coerce, unduly influence or unduly pressure someone in a workplace. There is a new mechanism to prohibit an employer, if they're found to have breached any of these conditions of employment, from hiring any additional people on temporary visas for a period of time.”
“This information also improves the practical nature and usefulness of the register. Already proved standard business sponsors will be automatically included in the register without the need to request this at the time of applying. Data will be regularly updated to ensure its relevance and will complement the public register of sanctioned sponsors already published by the Australian Border Force. Employers will be advised at the time of the sponsorship application so that they understand their details will be included on the register. The register will only draw on already publicly available information that has been provided for their ABN. Furthermore, any disclosures of information will be consistent with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988.”
“I note that the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee said that most submissions broadly supported the provisions and the recommendations and that the bill should pass the Senate. The aim of the register is to encourage public transparency and will be a resource for temporary skilled migrants to check that their sponsoring employers are legitimate. This is very important for Australia's reputation, both overseas and amongst our local diasporas here in Australia. It is important that rigour in this is in place to limit exploitations at the hands of those who seek to exploit and do things that are worse for their employees. Through the inclusion of postcodes, migrants will be able to consider their ability to move and find new employers near where there are already established community links and accommodation.”
“The Albanese government's migration strategy has been informed by more than 450 submissions received as part of the review of the migration system. There has been extensive consultation with business, unions and other stakeholders. Targeting reforms to temporary skilled migration will address skills needs in our economy and promote worker mobility to areas where workers are required and where the economy needs more support. The review process included written submissions from individual migrants and visa applicants. The consultation also included eight round tables with peak organisations, unions, and senior state and territory government officials.”
“This leaves them very vulnerable to mental health challenges and it makes it difficult for them to find suitable and reasonable accommodation and the other basics of life. The development of this register will help combat worker exploitation and provide a resource to check that a sponsoring employer is legitimate. This is very important in order to maintain the integrity and transparency in the skilled migration program and to make sure Australia is valued in other places in the world. This bill will develop a public register that includes: the name and type of the approved sponsor; the sponsor's Australian Business Number, or ABN; the postcode associated with the approved sponsor's ABN; and the number of the sponsor's workers and their occupations. This will encourage transparency, monitoring and oversight.”
“Unfortunately, I've seen too many people in my electorate office who've fallen prey to unscrupulous employers who promise things that are untrue, and when the worker arrives in Australia the conditions they are expected to work in are not up to Australian workplace standard conditions or the wages are not what they should be. Often when they come to Australia these temporary workers have families with them. They are promised well-paying jobs and quickly find themselves here at the mercy of circumstances that were not what they were expecting. They can be trapped in this country, not only by the poor conditions and pay but also by concerns about the expectation from family and friends at home, particularly that what they are doing is going to enhance their family's and their own circumstances.”
“I rise to make my contribution to the debate on the Migrant Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025, currently before the House. The Albanese government has made a commitment in the Migration Strategy, released in December 2023, to develop the skills-in-demand visa. The passage and implementation of this bill will continue the government's commitment to strengthen and maintain the integrity of the temporary skilled migration system. The bill is needed to enhance protections and oversight mechanisms through the establishment of a public register of approved sponsors. The intention for the public register is to ensure that there is a limit to the exploitation of temporary skilled migrant workers and provide these workers with a resource to check that the sponsoring employer is legitimate.”
“I'm proud to be part of a government that is doing so much to support the health of Australians, with historic levels of funding for Medicare improving access and costs for GP visits and especially more opportunities for bulk-billed services, cheaper medicines from 1 January next year and more than $1 billion invested in mental health support. The mental health support ranges from telephone to walk-in Medicare mental health centres and headspace, and the government is training more support workers, psychologists and peer support workers to ensure that all Australians in the future have an option to improve their lives, support their families and do wonders for our community.”
“The shadow minister also stated that our government was simply rebadging Liberal government projects. That couldn't be further from the truth. Under the Liberals, fewer than 10 pop-up Head to Health centres were established. We are now working towards 91 Medicare mental health systems, providing all services from peer support to psychologists and psychiatrists as a free, one-stop shop if you need that help. We've also established the virtual network to ensure every centre has access to psychologists and psychiatrists when they need it.”
“Unfortunately, I couldn't attend the event, but I'm told the night was a fantastic success with many in attendance. I'd like to thank the Youth Reference Group again for their insight and hard work and also all the staff at the Edmondson Park headspace. You're providing so much, much-needed support to our community. The work they're doing is not just in the centre. They also do significant outreach to several high schools in our community. I note that the shadow minister, in his reply speech in the House, claimed that the government was not delivering on early intervention services. As the minister said in her speech, we're establishing the new National Early Intervention Service, and that will be up and running early in January next year, providing phone and online mental support.”
“As we expand the range of free services, the Medicare Mental Health phone line—which is 1800595212 if you want to ring them—and the website medicarementalhealth.gov.au will help Australians find the service that is right for them. In Mental Health Month in 2024, the assistant minister and I opened the new headspace at Edmondson Park in the electorate of Werriwa. The centre is located in the shopping centre, across the road from the Edmondson Park railway and bus terminal, and it's been kicking goals since then. The Youth Reference Group is made up of more than 14 amazing young people. They are working hard to ensure that the needs of all young people in the area are addressed by the centre. Recently, they held a trivia night to raise funds for the work of headspace.”
“It's not only for them but for their families, work colleagues and, of course, the community as a whole. Providing more free public mental health services for Australians with different levels of need will help relieve the pressures on subsidised services provided by private psychologists. We're also building the mental health workforce. This includes 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places. This is complemented by our work to professionalise the peer workforce, because we value lived experience. Next year we're establishing a new peer workforce association and undertaking a census of the peer workforce.”
“This includes: the 91 mental health centres and multidisciplinary teams; the 20 perinatal mental health centres delivering support for new and expectant parents; the 17 Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs, providing children and families with behavioural, social, emotional and wellbeing support; and the 203 headspace services supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 12 to 25. Many of these services are already up and running. Early in 2026, the Albanese government will be rolling out the new National Early Intervention Service. The service will deliver free mental health phone and online support from trained professionals, and it is expected that will support over 150,000 people each year. We know that the sooner someone finds support that is right for them the sooner they start feeling better.”