Trish Cook
Bullwinkel · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Primary care, urgent care and emergency care—patients with non-life threatening urgent conditions can be treated quickly and efficiently in the community close to where they live. This is what strong primary care and urgent care systems look like. They are accessible, responsive and centred on the needs of patients.”
“There are now over 3,800 Medicare bulk-billing practices nationwide, and more than 1,400 of these were previously mixed-billing clinics—so 1,400 have converted to bulk-billing all patients all of the time. Importantly, about 97 per cent of Australians now live within a 20-minute drive of a bulk-billing practice.”
“They're also relieving pressure on GP practices themselves. As a GP nurse, I know that when something urgent walks through the door, of course the scheduled patients, both on my lists and the doctor's lists, will need to wait so that the urgent case is attended to.”
“Since Labor strengthened Medicare bulk-billing and introduced additional incentives for GPs, we have seen five more GP practices in my electorate of Bullwinkel take up bulk-billing. That is five more practices, and all the doctors within those practices, making the choice to put patients first and ensure care is accessible to everyone.”
“This bill has established a clear and enduring legislative framework for Commonwealth primary care incentive payment programs, including the Medicare Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program. These programs are a vital part of how we support access, affordability and quality in our health system.”
“Today I rise in strong support of the Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026. As federal member for Bullwinkel and as somebody that worked on the frontline as a nurse for decades, I know firsthand just how important a strong, accessible primary care system is to the health and wellbeing of our communi…”
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“Under the current legislation, the boards of management are empowered to make decisions in line with a formal management plan. The problem is that these management plans have a finite life span. When a plan expires, so too does the legal authority of the board of management to make decisions. The decision-making functions cease, and a governance vacuum is created. This bill addresses that very specific and very significant problem. It is simple yet powerful, an easy fix. It amends the EPBC Act to allow the boards of management for these jointly managed Commonwealth reserves to continue to make decisions regarding the management of the reserve after a management plan has expired. The only condition is that those decisions must remain consistent with the most recently expired management plan. It's an administrative fix.”
“These places are of immense national and international significance—Kakadu National Park, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Booderee National Park. In these reserves, the land is owned by the traditional owners who then lease it to the Commonwealth to be managed as a national park. At the heart of this is a joint management model and a board of management. This isn't just a committee. It's a genuine partnership where traditional owners have a decisive voice. These boards are appointed by the minister and, crucially, are comprised of Indigenous people, as a majority, who are nominated by the traditional owners themselves. Through these boards, their knowledge, wisdom and deep connection with the country informs every decision about its management.”
“It's a time-critical measure that will allow continued significant and positive management of our most precious Commonwealth environmental reserves. The bill directly aligns with the Albanese government's commitment to provide traditional owners with greater control and genuine authority over the management of their country. It is a small but crucial step that supports the improved relationship between the Australian government, the Director of National Parks and the traditional owners of our jointly managed Commonwealth reserves, which is a priority for this government. To understand the necessity of the bill, we must first understand the unique governance model of our jointly managed Commonwealth reserves.”
“As the member for Bullwinkel, I hold deep respect for our natural environment and the rich cultural heritage that defines our lands and waterways, and I've only lived in this region for 17 years. My electorate encompasses the lands of the Whadjuk and Ballardong peoples of the Noongar nation. It's a place where the connection between land, culture and community is tangible, and that connection has existed for over 65,000 years. It's a relationship that we, in this place, have a responsibility to honour and strengthen. I saw this connection between lands and Indigenous cultures firsthand when I worked as a remote area nurse in the remote Kimberley. The bill before the House today, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Board of Management Functions) Bill 2025, is an amendment to the existing act.”
“As the member for Bullwinkel my passion for the environment isn't just a political position; it is a deep seated personal commitment. It comes from time spent on frequent bushwalks, appreciating the ancient jarrah forests and the delicate ecosystems in our beautiful Perth Hills. That intimate connection to the land is what fuels my advocacy for our community. It's what drove me, during my time as a local volunteer, to establish the Darlington Community Garden from which my constituents still benefit today. It also drove me to champion the Darlington Wetland Rehabilitation Action Plan, as well as the friends of the native triangle group, trying to protect and restore our local bushland. Labor is the party that will deliver environmental protection, and this bill is just the beginning.”
“It's terrific news that the opposition are pro environment after all. I'm new to the parliament, so correct me if I'm wrong, but it was the Liberals that voted against the nature-positive laws in the Senate last year, saying that they went too far, and the Greens voted against them because they didn't go far enough. But it's great to hear that the shadow minister for the environment is very concerned about the environment at long last, and I hope that those changes will come in the near future. Today I rise to speak to the amendment of the existing Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The act is from 1999, of course. It is old and outdated. But this amendment bill is just to tweak an area which is of considerable importance.”
“In our last term, we opened 22 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, and this term we'll provide another 11 clinics and also expand those 33 clinics to provide specialised care for perimenopausal women and women going through menopause. This will provide a network of women's health support in every state and territory. This is about providing dignity and expert care for women who have been dismissed, misunderstood and mistreated for too long. Additionally, we will make it easier to get essential care. Through two national trials, we have enabled 250,000 concession card holders to get contraceptives and treatments for uncomplicated UTIs directly from a trained pharmacist at no cost. These are not just figures on a page; these are real, tangible changes that will improve the lives of millions of women across Australia.”
“To be clear, they've been available for 20 years, but women have had to pay high costs for them. From 1 March, Estrogel, Estrogel Pro and Prometrium were included on the PBS, once again saving women hundreds of dollars a year. With our National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025, which was passed yesterday, women will save more on oral contraception and menopause treatments, with the amount being capped at $25. On health assessments, we have introduced a new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments, along with funding to train health professionals and develop national clinical guidelines.”
“The listing of Yaz and Yasmin from 1 March and Slinda from 1 May will save thousands of women hundreds of dollars a year. We will also make long-acting reversible contraceptives cheaper with larger Medicare payments and more bulk-billing for IUDs and implants. This will reduce out-of-pocket costs by up to $400, once again, for thousands of women across the country. This is a profound change for women, and it's making health care more accessible and affordable. Another issue is drugs for women at a different age—menopause. We also addressed critical gaps in care for women experiencing menopause. Once again, we have new and better drugs that were not on the PBS system. We have listed, for the first time in over 20 years, new menopausal hormone therapies on the PBS.”
“Our government committed to delivering a historic $790 million for a women's health package. This will deliver more choice, lower costs and better access to care for women right across the country. This comprehensive investment is informed by extensive consultation with women, healthcare providers and advocacy groups. This is not a quick fix; this is a long-term plan for meaningful change. We are already well under way. I'd like to talk about three initiatives under this funding. On contraception, a key part of this package was our focus on reproductive health and choice. For the first time in more than 30 years, we have listed new oral contraceptive pills on the PBS. To be clear, these are already-existing medications that were not available on the PBS.”
“I rise to speak on a topic of vital importance and optimism: women's health. Women now comprise 56 per cent of the Australian Labor Party caucus. That is a record in and of itself, but it's also the reason why we have policies that better represent Australia. We have the most women in parliament and we have the most women in cabinet in history. This has led to different policies, different conversations, different discussions, different priorities and, of course, different funding. For far too long, women's health has been overlooked, underfunded and left in the too-hard basket. The Albanese Labor government is changing that. We're not just talking about women's health; we're investing in it because we know that strengthening Medicare means strengthening health care for all Australians.”
“Vivian's story didn't end there; in 1975, as the Vietnam War drew to a close, she led a team of nurses in Operation Babylift, a mission to rescue orphaned and surrendered Vietnamese Australian-fathered babies and children. Around 300 of those children were brought to Australia in cardboard boxes on the aircraft floor. It was far from ideal, but it saved their lives. So, on 18 August at the RSL in Northam, I honoured our Vietnam veterans, support personnel and nurses like Vivian Bullwinkel, whose courage reminds us that service comes in many forms. Lest we forget.”
“On 18 August I had the honour of joining the Northam RSL to mark Vietnam Veterans' Day. It was a moving occasion where we remembered the courage and sacrifice of more than 60,000 Australians who served and we honoured those who never came home. As part of that beautiful ceremony I also reflected on Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel's role in the war. She was a nurse and a World War II hero, and the sole survivor of the Banka Island massacre in 1942, where 21 of her fellow nurses were murdered. She endured 3½ years as a prisoner of war, and when she returned she devoted her life to nursing, supporting veterans and honouring those who had perished. As many of you know, the electorate of Bullwinkel is named in her honour.”
“I had a very personal experience with a Medicare urgent care clinic just last week, so I'll quickly tell you a little bit about that. It's not a prop; it's a legitimate splint on my finger.”
“That was opened late last year, and we've seen firsthand how valuable it is for locals. It offers free, walk-in services for people aged 18 and over. It's a safe, welcoming place to access mental health care from qualified professionals. No appointment is needed; no referral is required. You don't even need your Medicare card; you can just walk in seeking help for yourself, supporting a loved one or assisting a patient. That is universal, compassionate care, and it's exactly what we want for Kalamunda and for communities across Bullwinkel and Australia. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and no-one, once again, should face the barriers. Firsthand life experience also plays a role, and I didn't need surveys or focus groups to see the impact of these services.”
“I became a nurse when I was 18, following in my mother's footsteps, and being a nurse quickly teaches you that affordable medicine can be the difference between seeing somebody get better and somebody ending up in hospital. I've seen people skip doses because the cost is too high, and I've seen the consequences. That's why cheaper medicines aren't just good for the pocket; they're good for health as well. Health is something very close to my heart and one of the favourite topics when I go doorknocking out in Bullwinkel. One of the most exciting things I talk about is delivering the new Medicare urgent care clinic in Mundaring, but there's also, alongside that, a new Medicare mental health centre in the suburb of Kalamunda, also in the hills of Perth. We've recently set up a Medicare mental health centre in the regional area of Northam.”
“When someone falls ill, when a parent is concerned about a child or when an older Australian needs ongoing care, access should not be a barrier. Labor created the PBS, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and our commitment extends to these medicines as well. In 2023 we delivered the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, and we're going even further. As of 1 January next year no Australian will pay more than $25 for a PBS prescription. For pensioners and concession card holders we have frozen PBS medicines at $7.70 until 2030—no surprises, no rises, just certainty. I know from my own life that this is extremely important. Many people on medications simply aren't on just one medication; they're often on multiple medications. It's making a real difference.”
“They overdelivered 87 clinics. For this election we promised to open 50 more across Australia, and I'm thrilled that one of them will be in my community in Bullwinkle, in the suburb of Mundaring, to cater for the hills people and regional people nearby. These clinics make it easier for Australians to gain access to urgent care free of charge, taking the pressure off hospital emergency departments and GP clinics. Our goal is for four in five Australians to live within a 20-minute drive of a Medicare urgent care clinic. That's the kind of change that makes a real difference in people's lives. Alongside that we're delivering the largest investment in Medicare in history. This means 18 million more bulk-billed GP visits every year, giving Australians the confidence to see a doctor without worrying about cost.”
“We have made fee-free TAFE permanent so Australians can gain the skills they need for a well-paid, secure job. Fee-free TAFE is already helping Australians get ahead while easing cost-of-living pressures. It gives people the opportunity to work in meaningful jobs and give back to the community. We've also cut student debt by 20 per cent, and the Commonwealth practical placement payment provides support for student nurses, teachers, midwives and social workers while they're on their mandatory placements. These programs ensure that our important future workforce can contribute fully and confidently without being burdened by crippling debt. Of course health is always at the forefront of my mind personally and professionally. The Albanese Labor government went to the last election, in 2022, promising 50 Medicare urgent care clinics.”
“Let's start with housing. From 1 October 2025 every first home buyer will be able to purchase a home with just a five per cent deposit, and they won't pay a cent in expensive mortgage insurance. For many young Australians this could shave years off the time it takes to save for a home. For example, somebody buying a $1 million home could do so with just a $50,000 deposit backed by the Albanese government. This is a change that brings hope. Owning a home will no longer be a privilege just for the lucky few or those that have been helped by the bank of mum and dad; it'll be achievable for hardworking Australians across the country. That's the Labor commitment: to give everyone a fair go. Education is another cornerstone of social investment.”
“It was in these communities that I saw the true impact of a model of health you may be familiar with, what we call the social determinants of health—access to fresh food, local employment, education, housing and connection with country and culture. They're not just abstract ideas; they are real, measurable factors that affect the health and wellbeing of the community. They're not just unique to health; the same principles apply to justice and to mental health. When these social determinants are addressed, people and communities are healthier, safer and more resilient. That's why I am proud to be part of a Labor government committed to improving these social determinants. I'll speak to three of these issues. Housing, education and health are all priorities because we know that investing in these delivers real outcomes for Australia.”
“In short, Labor's appropriation bill is the legislation that puts our budget into action, and it authorises government spending in line with the values that I mentioned and others. I come to this parliament with a range of experiences. I'm a nurse, midwife, occupational health and safety consultant, small-business owner, lecturer in nursing studies at TAFE and Edith Cowan University, community volunteer, shire councillor, PhD candidate, and, now, of course, I'm an MP. The first half of my career was as a remote-area nurse and midwife in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia. I had the privilege of caring for people in remote Indigenous communities such as Ardyaloon, Lombadina, Bidyadanga and Looma—small Aboriginal communities.”
“I rise today to speak on behalf of the people of Bullwinkel on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026. An appropriation bill might not sound terribly exciting at first, but it is one of the most important pieces of legislation that the federal parliament will pass this year. In simple terms, it's the government's budget bill—the legal authority for the government to spend money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Labor's appropriation bill reflects our priorities and our Labor values. It shows us what matters to us most, and these are some of those things: investing in Medicare, aged-care reform, housing, renewable energy, cost-of-living relief and education. The bill gives legal effect to our budget commitments and allows the government agencies to spend the money accordingly.”
“Our system needs to adapt to remain sustainable. However, to allow for more Australians from the disability community to benefit from the NDIS, these structural changes are necessary to improve accessibility for the disability community. In conclusion, our government is committed to making the NDIS a fairer, more transparent and more sustainable scheme for the long term. This decision is not about cutting costs. It's about ensuring every dollar is spent on supporting the people the scheme was designed to help. It's about restoring integrity to the NDIS. It's about empowering people with disability to live their lives with choice, control and dignity.”
“This reflects the increase to the minimum wage and superannuation in the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award. This is about fairness for everyone. Some have raised concerns, but let me assure the House that this decision is based on the most comprehensive data ever used. The agency—the NDIA—meticulously analysed over 10 million transactions, benchmarking against Medicare, private health insurance and 13 other government schemes, and this was not a decision made lightly but one informed by robust evidence that proves people with disability were being overcharged. I would also like to acknowledge the NDIS providers that have already reached out to me with their concerns, and I do acknowledge that some are struggling with the changes and the transition and acknowledge that providers will need to adapt.”
“For services like physiotherapy and podiatry, the data found that, in some cases, people with disability were being charged a staggering 68 per cent more. It's not fair, and it's not fair to ask people with disability to pay above the odds for therapies that are essential for their wellbeing and independence. High fees and unclear travel rules were draining their budgets and restricting access to the very support that they need. This is why the independent body, the National Disability Insurance Agency or NDIA, in its annual pricing review, has recommended changes to ensure participants are paying a fair price in line with what other Australians pay for the same services. This decision also has another crucial outcome. It ensures that our frontline disability support workers receive the pay rise that they so rightly deserve.”
“We are making prices fairer for participants, for providers, for workers and for the Australian taxpayer. We need the NDIS to be sustainable to provide care for as many participants as we can. Let me be absolutely clear about what this means. It means ensuring that NDIS participants are not being overcharged for the vital services that they rely upon. It means ensuring our significant national investment is going to frontline workers who provide critical support day in and day out. It means cracking down on inefficiencies and dodgy providers who seek to make a quick buck without delivering meaningful outcomes for people who most need them. A recent independent analysis found that NDIS participants were paying more than other Australians for the same supports. Let me repeat that. Our most vulnerable citizens were paying more.”
“I rise today to speak on a matter that's close to my heart, as a nurse, and to speak about the National Disability Insurance Scheme. This is very important to the people of Bullwinkel, who I represent. The electorate covers both an urban area and a regional area. The NDIS is one of our country's greatest achievements, made possible through the Labor government. It's a scheme that helps well over 700,000 people with a disability, and it helps them to live a more independent life, to work, to study and to have genuine choice and control over how they wish to live. It's a scheme that fundamentally changes lives for the better, and our government is committed to ensuring it will be the best that it can be. At the heart of our commitment is a focus on fairness and transparency.”
“This is a change that brings hope to the younger generation, and it's a relief for parents close to retirement—parents who may have felt obligated to dip into their savings or pull out money from their own super just to help their adult children get a foot on the home ladder. We're also continuing the largest housing build in Australian history, because more housing means more affordable homes, and we're investing $10 billion to build up to 100,000 homes— (Time expired)”
“Many Australians are working hard, doing the best things for their families and putting money aside each week for a housing deposit. But, too often, the dream of homeownership feels like it's slipping further away. When I'm out doorknocking in Bullwinkel, I hear the same questions again and again: 'How I will ever afford to buy a home? I can afford rent but how will I be able to buy a home? How will my kids afford one of their own?' Right now, buying a home has become a dream for the lucky few and those who are fortunate to have the bank of mum and dad to go to. But that's why Labor is acting. From 1 October 2025, every first home buyer will be able to purchase a home with just a five per cent deposit and they won't pay a cent in lenders mortgage insurance. For the average person, this will shave years off saving for a home deposit.”
“In the Albanese government's first term, one of their commitments was to build 50 Medicare urgent care clinics where people can just walk in without a referral or a credit card and get quality, accessible health care. We said we would deliver 50 in that first term, and we overdelivered by providing 87 clinics across Australia. Two of those clinics service the people of Bullwinkel. There's one in Gosnells and one in North Midland, both on the border of the electorate. Thanks to the Labor government, one of the new commitments, when we build another 50 around the country, will be in the Bullwinkel electorate—my commitment to a Medicare urgent care clinic in Kalamunda. We are working consistently to provide better, more accessible and more affordable health care for people.”
“The Prime Minister, Mr Albanese, said it best: 'The size of your bank balance shouldn't determine the quality of your health care.' That's what this is all about—making sure every Australian, no matter who they are or what they earn, can afford medicines that they need. I am proud to stand here as the Bullwinkel representative but also someone who's worked in health care since they were a teenager. I know the difference that this will make to people's lives. The Albanese government is delivering real cost-of-living relief, not just words, and, as I've indicated, commitment and action. With this legislation, we are making medicines cheaper than they have been for two decades. We are building a fairer, healthy Australia together. This is also in addition to our Medicare urgent care clinics.”
“In July 2022, we reduced by 25 per cent the number of scripts a concessional patient needs before the PBS safety net kicks in. In January 2023, we cut down the maximum cost of a general script from $42.50 to $30, the biggest cut in PBS history. In September last year, we rolled out 60-day prescriptions, saving time and money for people with ongoing health conditions. From January 2025, for the first time in 25 years, PBS co-payments won't rise with inflation. Importantly, all medicines that pharmacies can discount today will still be able to be discounted when the new $25 co-payment comes into effect. This was a clear and consistent commitment from our government when we said we would make medicines cheaper and health more accessible and affordable, and that's exactly what we are doing.”
“Remember that, for many people requiring medicines, especially for chronic diseases, they are often on more than one medication at the same time—many medications in some cases. That's why cheaper medicines aren't just good for the hip pocket; they're good for health. When I'm out doorknocking and speaking with people in my community in the Bullwinkel electorate, this is one of the issues that comes up again and again. People have told me that they are grateful when medicines become affordable and that this will make a big difference to their bottom line. For pensioners and concession card holders we also know that money can be tight, and that's why we have frozen the cost of PBS medicines at $7.70 until the year 2030—no rises, no surprises, just certainty. This builds on action we have already taken to ease pressure.”
“That is not just numbers on the page; it's a real, tangible cost-of-living measure that will make a difference in people's lives. We already delivered the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS in 2023 and now we are going even further. For the average household, this is a 20 per cent cut in the maximum cost of PBS medicines, saving Australians more than $200 million a year. I know from my own life just how important this is. I became a nurse when I was just 18 years old, following in my mother's footsteps. Being a nurse, you very quickly learn that access to affordable medicine can mean the difference between someone getting better and somebody ending up in hospital. I've seen what happens when people skip doses because the cost is too high.”
“I rise to speak on the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025. On 22 July, I walked into Parliament House for the official opening of the 48th Parliament. It was a very proud moment to be the 10th nurse and the fourth midwife in parliament and the very first federal member for Bullwinkel. It's a seat named after nurse Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, World War II hero and the sole survivor of the terrible 1942 Bangka Island massacre. A few days later, I experienced yet another proud moment, voting yes to make medicines cheaper. From 1 January next year, no Australian will pay more than $25 for a prescription on the PBS. Think about that for a moment. The last time medicines were this affordable was more than 20 years ago, in 2004.”
“My question is to the Minister for Resources. How is the Albanese Labor government creating new jobs and building Australia's future by growing our critical minerals industry? What proposals might threaten Australia's resource sector?”
“I was so proud to attend the opening of a Medicare mental health clinic in the township of Northam, in the western wheat belt, with the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care last year. We have located that mental health clinic specifically in a rural area for regional people, in the township of Northam. It's co-located with Holyoake drug and alcohol abuse services. You just need your Medicare card. You don't need a referral. You don't need an appointment. You simply walk in. This is what we're doing for mental health care of people in regional Australia. Let's contrast this with the opposition's plan. The only plan I heard at the election for the regions was to build a nuclear reactor with no consultation in a water-deficient area on top of a geologically unstable, discontinued coalmine in Collie. (Time expired)”
“In health this government has made the single largest investment in bulk-billing, aiming for nine out of 10 visits to be bulk-billed by 2030. We have delivered 31 urgent care clinics in the regions out of the 87 that we delivered, and we're going to deliver 50 more, including one in Bullwinkel. We're strengthening Medicare with a $606 million investment to deliver more doctors, with 50 per cent of additional GP traineeship places specifically for regional and rural areas. This includes $248 million for salary incentives for junior doctors to specialise in GPs and rural generalists, rewarding doctors for going regional. Since November 2023, Australians in regional, rural and remote areas have seen nearly 2.5 million additional bulk-billed GP visits.”
“He lost $50,000- to $60,000 there and then. This government is also aggressively diversifying and strengthening ties with existing partners, like India, and forging new relationships with key markets, such as the United Arab Emirates. Our new trade agreement with the UAE, for example, means reduced and zero tariffs for WA exports like beef, chickpeas, seafood and, in Bullwinkel, sheep meat—new markets for sheep meat. This is what we're doing. We're creating new opportunities. We're not failing our regions at all. Secondly, on investing in our people and essential services—because regional development is also about investing in our people through skills, training and vital services—I have worked in health in regional and remote areas for decades.”
“We are building strong, connected communities, driving economic growth and enhancing wellbeing, and we know that vibrant communities, like Northam in my electorate, are not just a part of Australia's future, they are at its very heart. I would like to make two points. Firstly, on trade and diversification, which is vital for regional jobs and prosperity. This government has actively worked to stabilise our relationship with China, lifting nearly $20 billion in trade impediments which were caused—I think we all remember why—and were critical for our wine, barley, beef and lobster industries. This directly benefits our primary producers across WA and, in particular, barley for the farmers of Bullwinkel. Farmer Chris told me that barley, his crop, dropped in value to zero overnight when the markets were axed.”
“I rise today as the proud member for Bullwinkel. I've just delivered my first speech, where I committed my support for all areas of my electorate: the foothills, the hills and the regional areas—the beautiful, vibrant regional areas where the towns of Northam, York, Toodyay and Beverley are based. I have over four decades in caring for communities as a registered nurse and now, as their voice in parliament, I find the assertion that the Labor government is failing regional Australia not only deeply misguided but frankly insulting. It's insulting to the significant progress that we have made. The Albanese Labor government's vision for regional Australia is clear and unwavering.”
“My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. How is the Albanese Labor government unlocking more opportunities for our agriculture sectors and supporting Australian jobs through strengthening trade relationships?”
“As a volunteer I've cared and advocated for my wonderful and supportive community of Darlington by leading projects such as the local skate park extension, the construction of a pump track, a well-loved and well-used community garden and the environmental restoration of our local wetlands and a native-bush triangle area. As a shire councillor for the shire of Mundaring for eight years, I have supported community projects such as the construction of the Boya Public Library and the Mundaring Arena. And, as a federal Labor member, I pledge to care and advocate for the fair and equitable allocation of resources to target the social determinants of health, the factors which will improve life for those in Bullwinkel and for all Australians.”
“Nursing remains a highly feminised workforce, and the Labor government's recent commitment to paid prac recognises the contribution of students, mostly women, who juggle study, clinical practice, part-time jobs and family, all while learning to care for us, and I note that this policy has been extended to student teachers and social workers, both equally deserving of financial support. I have come full circle, from my training in the corridors of a hospital to the corridors of this House. The professions of nursing and politics both require great commitment, honesty and a great sense of wanting to help people and communities. As a nurse-midwife, I have cared and advocated for patients when they drew their first and last breaths and everything in between.”
“At the time of my training, young trainee hospital trained nurses worked in a role that was considered a vocation, where men were doctors and women were expected to do the role of the carer for the love of it, and, of course, the wages and conditions reflected that attitude. I know, having completed hospital base training as a nurse and midwife at St John of God Subiaco Hospital in the eighties, followed by a university degree of Bachelor of Health Science in the nineties.”
“I'm sure Vivienne and the other past nurses would also be amazed by and grateful for vaccinations, as was my own father, who suffered from diphtheria as a child. Let us not forget what lies dormant and kept at bay by immunisation and high herd immunity levels. We need to continue to build trust and understanding about vaccinations, especially given the rise of misinformation and declining immunisation rates in some areas. The second thing is that Vivienne was president of the Australian College of Nursing, and she's remembered as one of the most influential people within the Australian nursing profession. Vivienne helped elevate the standard of Australian nurses by transferring training of nurses from hospital based training to the tertiary trained profession that it is today, equal to other allied health professions.”
“And the reason, of course, why we don't now have infectious diseases hospitals in this country is the unarguable benefits of vaccination, and I take this opportunity to thank the Australian government for providing the free, comprehensive National Immunisation Program, which covers 19 vaccine-preventable diseases for all Australians across all age groups. I have administered vaccinations for the past 40 years and agree with the position statement of the Australian College of Nursing and the Australian Medical Association that vaccination is the No. 1 best health dollar spend in this country. I'm so privileged to see the mass reduction of typhoid, diphtheria, polio, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal and HPV in my lifetime.”
“One of her comrades who died in the terrible massacre was Sister Alma Beard of the Wheatbelt town of Toodyay in the electorate of Bullwinkel. Alma is remembered and honoured by her local community and relatives still residing in the region, including with a statue in her honour at the Toodyay medical centre. I acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice of Alma, who was only 29. In addition to a distinguished military career, Vivienne had a remarkable career in the nursing profession, and there are just two things I'd like to share with you about Vivienne Bullwinkel's nursing history. First, in 1960, Vivienne became matron of Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital in Victoria, which has since closed, in 1996. Can you imagine a whole hospital dedicated to infectious diseases? A whole COVID ward, sure—but a whole hospital?”
“I cannot imagine the hardship of parents sending their daughters and sons off to a foreign country to fight for democracy and I thank them for their incredible sacrifices and services. Not only did Vivienne survive World War II but afterwards she went on to testify against the Japanese at the war crimes tribunal in Tokyo. She spent the rest of her life advocating for her fellow nurses wanting to tell their story, not wanting them to be forgotten. She retired at 60 years of age, married and moved to Perth, where she lived for a further 24 years. In 1992, Vivienne bravely returned to Bangka beach, accompanied by WA Labor Senator Pat Giles—No. 2 nurse, incidentally—to open a memorial dedicated to her comrades on the beach.”