Jess Teesdale
Bass · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Today I rise to honour Professor Richard Scolyer ATO, a remarkable Australian and a deeply loved son of Tasmania. I didn't have the privilege of knowing Richard personally, but seeing how all of those who were able to interact with him throughout his life have reacted to his passing tells me that he was a truly great man.”
“Even as his work took him to Sydney, to hospitals, laboratories and research institutions across the world, he remained proudly connected to our beautiful state, proudly connected to home. That connection was seen clearly at Bridgnorth Football Club, a club tied to his family for generations. Richard was their no. 1 ticket holder.”
“Through his work with Professor Georgina Long and Melanoma Institute Australia, he helped to transform melanoma treatment. Advanced melanoma, once so often a death sentence, particularly in Tasmania, where we have the highest rates across the country, became survivable for many more people because of the work and the science that he helpe…”
“He shared that journey with honesty and generosity, not because that made it easier and not because it would take away the fear but because he knew that what he learnt from his treatment might help the next patient, the next family, hopefully even the next breakthrough. That is courage and that is service and that is love in action.”
“We are really proud that one of our own has managed to change the world, and may we honour him by continuing to back science, support medical research, care for each other and, as Richard would say, always giving it a crack. I commend this motion to the House.”
“Barriers such as limited transport, skills gaps, caring responsibilities, disability, health challenges or long periods out of the workforce can make it much harder for people in regional communities to find secure employment. Across Australia around 1.7 million people are not working but would like to be.”
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“You've heard from us a few times why Labor believes reducing student debt is important, but today I want to step back and I want to let the voices of the people in Bass tell you what it really means to them, because nobody explains this better than those who are living it. In our community, more than 10,000 people will benefit from this change—not just uni graduates but those who have studied through VET courses and TAFE too. Some of these people have been generous enough to share their thoughts with me, and I want to thank them for allowing me to share their words with you here. Maddison, a doctor, has put it simply: It's wild to end up with such a huge debt when I'm dedicating my career to help others.”
“My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Innovation. How is the Albanese Labor government's approach to delivering reliable energy helping to secure the future of the Australian manufacturing industry and jobs? What are the risks to manufacturing jobs?”
“The government has committed $81.6 million to the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation scheme to better deliver statewide freight capacity and firm up local freight industry supply chains. We've invested in the Nyrstar zinc smelter in Hobart. But I know that these are uncertain times for people in my electorate—for the workers at both Liberty Bell Bay and Bell Bay Aluminium and their families, connected local businesses and our broader community. That's why I'm working very closely with Senator Ayres to help both the Liberty Bell Bay manganese smelter and the Bell Bay Aluminium facility to navigate these choppy waters. The truth is that Tasmanians and mainlanders are stronger when we're working together to secure the future.”
“No federal government in living memory has done more than the Albanese Labor government to support and strengthen Tasmania. We've invested $3.8 billion for the Marinus Link project to boost renewable energy transmission on both sides of Bass Strait, lifting Tassie internet speeds along the way. We're boosting the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme by 25 per cent over two years. This means Tasmanian businesses and workers are not penalised by distance. We've defended Tassie jobs and industry from short-term threats to viability and backed in a low-carbon future. That includes $24 million to electrify and modernise the Boyer paper mill, the oldest still in operation anywhere in Australia. This secures 300 jobs directly and a further 1,000 jobs down the supply chain.”
“We are delivering for the people of Australia, and they know what this government stands for: cheaper power bills in the long-term; more secure, better paid jobs; tax cuts for every Australian; mortgage relief when it's needed most. We're not chasing headlines; we're delivering outcomes. It's not a spending spree; it's a nation-building plan.”
“I do wish to compare that to those opposite, who actually made a vow—something that we do in marriage—to undo our tax cuts and take that money away from people. Australians are doing it tough, and we know that there are many external threats that are impacting us right now. That's why rate relief matters. Our Reserve Bank has cut interest rates three times this year, and I can tell you that, on my schoolteacher salary, that is a huge impact to families. Depending on your loan, the cuts are actually saving households hundreds of dollars a month, and that would not have happened without the work and planning done by the Albanese Labor government. We are delivering for the people of Bass.”
“That's not a slogan; that is the ABS talking. More Australians are in work than ever before, and we're not stopping there. We're backing fee-free TAFE, we're rebuilding advanced manufacturing and we're investing in those clean energy jobs, because these important and very well paying jobs of tomorrow can be done by people here, across Australia, in Burnie, in Devonport and in La Trobe, when we put in place the right training opportunities. We've also delivered tax cuts for every single Australian taxpayer—one this year, another in 2026 and another in 2027. By the 2027-2028 financial year there's going to be an average of $2,500 extra in people's pockets every year. We're supporting people to earn more and keep more of what they earn, and we're doing it fairly.”
“We know the Australian Energy Regulator reports that wholesale prices have been falling since late 2022, thanks to cheaper fuel, more renewables and decisive government action. This is real progress and, while we don't pretend a decade of neglect can be fixed overnight, we are doing the hard yards to build a secure and affordable energy future. That's what we do. We build for the long-term, just like we did with Medicare, and now we can't actually imagine an Australia without it. The government's record on job creation and growth is also something that, like Medicare, we should all be celebrating. More than 1.1 million jobs have been created since we came to government, the strongest single-term job creation on record. It's actually also the lowest average unemployment rate of any government in 50 years.”
“Griffith University research shows that if we had stayed reliant solely on coal and gas, the cost of generating electricity would be 50 per cent higher today. I really want that to sink in—every power bill would be higher; every family and small business would pay the price. Fifty per cent is a big difference. Numbers are tricky though. The CSIRO confirms that renewables with transmission and storage included are the cheapest form of new energy generation in Australia. It's not ideology; it's engineering, it's economics and it's evidence. And households are feeling the difference. We know that the Australian Energy Market Commission projects that electricity prices could be 13 per cent lower over the next decade if our renewable rollout continues as planned.”
“I rise today as both a teacher, who cares for children across Australia, and a representative of a regional community. Our test is simple: Are Australians better off today when they open their tax return? When they check their mortgage statement? When they search for a job? Those opposite are crying 'spending spree', but Australians are seeing the reality. They see a government that is delivering tax cuts, driving down energy costs over the long term, backing record job creation and helping ease mortgage pressure. That's not a spree; that's a strategy. That's not chaos; that's a plan. I understand that is unfamiliar to those opposite. When we look at energy options, the choice could not be clearer. We stick with a volatile, ageing fossil fuel system, or we invest in clean cheaper renewables that cut bills over time.”
“The better question isn't ,"What will government give us?" but, with self-interest in mind, "What will our governments allow us to do for ourselves?" True freedom means having the ability to take care of yourself and shape your future, even when there are challenges. I'm thankful for our Australian government and hope that it always allow the people who elect it to thrive. I commend both young writers and I thank Raise Our Voice Australia for this opportunity. Thank you so much to Lucia and Jessica.”
“Over time this focus has shifted, and more people expect the government to step in and handle problems that we might solve ourselves. While it's natural to want comfort, something important is lost when we depend too heavily on elected governments. Solving challenges on our own builds resilience, whereas constant reliance and the reduction to self-determine can ultimately lead to disadvantage. Rather than asking for more programs and subsidies we should ask the government to focus on creating an environment where everyone, no matter their circumstances, can build a life based on their own goals and efforts. With the freedom to choose and the opportunity to achieve comes both risk and responsibility.”
“We would also invest properly in education, climate action and mental health, not just because they are popular now, but because they shape the future we want to build. True leadership means asking, "What kind of country will we leave behind?" and then acting on it. I may be young, but I want to grow up in a country that thinks big, builds wisely and plans for generations, not election cycles. The second is Jessica, age 16, who challenges us to balance government responsibility with individual agency: These days it's common to look to the government for answers. The first reaction is often, "The government should fix this—that's their job." However, the Government was never intended to manage every part of our lives. Its role is to protect our rights, maintain order, and create conditions where people have the opportunity to succeed.”
“I'm 15, and I live in regional Tasmania, an island rich in natural resources. Lately, I've been thinking not just about next year or the next election but the next 100, 200 or even 500 years. Countries like Singapore and Japan already plan that far ahead, and I believe Australia should too. Right now, it feels like every time the government changes, so does the plan. We get short-term fixes instead of long-term vision. But if we thought in centuries, our policies would look very different. We wouldn't keep selling off ports, farms and mines to the highest bidder. We would protect and strengthen our manufacturing sector. We would make sure our natural resources are locally owned.”
“Our democracy is healthier when we make room for principled disagreement, for evidence and for respectful debate. I'm proud of the culture of participation that is growing in northern Tasmania through our schools, community groups and families. It is encouraging young people to write, speak up and lead. Programs like ROVA help turn classroom conversations into civic engagement and turn civic engagement into lifelong public service—in whatever form that takes. I say to the students from Bass who submitted this year: you should be proud. It takes courage to put your words forward and to be judged on your ideas. Thank you for trusting me with your voices. Tonight I will place two of these voices on the parliamentary record. The first is Lucia, who asks us to think beyond electoral cycles and plan for the next century: Hello. I'm Lucia.”
“Tonight I want to celebrate two remarkable young people from my electorate of Bass who have taken part in Raise Our Voice Australia, a national initiative that amplifies the voice of young Australians in our parliaments and in our public life. ROVA gives students a platform to step into our shoes for a moment, to put their ideas on the record and to remind us that policies ultimately are about the future that they will inherit. It is a simple but powerful concept: ask young people what matters, listen carefully and take their contributions seriously. In Bass, and across Australia, we are lucky to have young adults who are thoughtful, curious and brave enough to engage with big questions. They do not all agree, and nor should they. They bring different values and experiences, and that diversity is a strength.”
“We've put in free TAFE for agricultural training, which is going exceptionally well for our regional communities. We've put in a record investment for housing, and I'm looking forward to working with Dorset Council to see how we can keep going with that in their area. We've put money into stronger community services and mental health support. We know we're on the right track, and I know that we cannot stop there. My commitment is clear: the people of north-east Tasmania will be heard here in Canberra.”
“Thank you to Better Health 4 Dorset, who reminded us that good health and mental health support are essential to strong rural communities; Dorset Employment Connect, who underlined the importance of effective local job pathways; and Dorset neighbourhood house—who do exceptional work—who reminded us about the importance of looking after those who are our most vulnerable. Together with farming families, community organisations, the Mayor of Dorset Council and the Deputy Mayor of Dorset Council, these groups painted a picture of resilience, determination and opportunities for growth in their future. Dorset's story is Tasmania's story. It's full of opportunity, but it needs investment in people, services and infrastructure. I'm proud to say that our Albanese Labor government is delivering on that front.”
“Farmers spoke about the pressures of changing land and environment. Businesses explained how they have been held back because they couldn't find the workers they need in regional locations. There was a clear call for more practical education options and training pathways to keep our young people in agriculture. Equally we talked about the services that hold communities together. Access to child care, mental health support and volunteers are not extras; they're the backbone of resilient towns. Without them, families can't get ahead and businesses cannot thrive. I particularly want to acknowledge those who joined the roundtable. Thank you to TasFarmers for giving a voice to our primary producers. Thank you to Rural Business Tasmania, who brought insights into the challenges of small farming enterprises.”
“On 20 August in Scottsdale at the heart of Dorset, I hosted my first regional roundtable as the member for Bass. I was joined by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon. Julie Collins, and together we sat down with farmers, small-business operators, community leaders and the Dorset Council to discuss the future of north-east Tasmania. What struck me most is that Dorset is a community that knows its strengths and is ready to shape its own future. People welcomed the opportunity for Canberra to listen, and they made it clear what matters most. We heard about the significant issues: food security, freight, infrastructure, youth engagement and biosecurity. These are not abstract policy debates; these are daily realities for farmers, producers and businesses across our region.”
“We can help them enjoy it at home, in early learning and with evidence based teaching in every classroom. I'm very excited to say that that will help Tasmania to be a stronger, much more capable society which can advocate on its own behalf.”
“Make that a ritual. Ten to 15 minutes before bed each night not only gives you that one-on-one time with your child; it also makes a lifetime impact on what they can do for their future. Talk about new words. Pick out two or three new words from every text that you read with your child. Explain what they mean. Use them at breakfast the next day. That is critical. Our libraries are incredible places and so underutilised, I think, particularly for Bass. You walk in there and it is safe, it is quiet and it is calm. There are so many stories and so many adventures you can pick up off each shelf. Read aloud to your child. If we can help parents read aloud every day—if we can promote that in this place, with our reach and what we do here—then we can help children enjoy reading from the very earliest years.”
“Vocabulary size is a strong prediction for reading comprehension, but it's also a long-term indicator of academic or vocational success. We need to make sure that all children have a broad vocab. This means that they can share their feelings and engage in debate. We know, particularly here in this place, that vocabulary is a very important thing. We need to be able to share our constituents' needs. We know that evidence based teaching and family engagement will boost outcomes for children moving forward. I often have parents ask me: 'Where do I start? How I do help my child gain these skills, gain a love of reading and gain that critical vocabulary?' I say to parents, start with the books you loved as a child. Spot was one of my favourites. Room on the Broom is another fantastic text; it's fun, engaging and has rhyme and rhythm.”
“This charity is working towards providing one book each month, from birth up until five years of age, for every child born within these two suburbs. What an incredible gift for those families. But what can parents do? We've talked about governments and we've talked about schools, but there is a responsibility here on parents. So I beg. I beg to parents: read aloud to your child every single day. We know that shared book reading has very, very positive effects on children's language. It has positive impacts on the quality of their interactions. It helps them understand the meaning of more words. It helped them understand and share their ideas and share what they need. We need to talk together, and we need to help build vocabulary. We talk about vocabulary, but very few people actually understand how important it is.”
“I'm not sure if anyone here has heard of it, but it is an incredible program with excellent results. The evidence from this program is that children are more school ready by the time they reach kindergarten or prep. An Australian longitudinal study of families engaging with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library showed that those children who are reading daily now are five times more likely to still be reading daily in the future years. That is a huge impact. We know, particularly in Australia, that we need this. We're very grateful to a company called Rosie's Reading in Tasmania. They're just getting started, and they're planning on rolling out in two suburbs across Tasmania. Both of those, I'm very grateful to say, are in Bass, in some of our most needy communities.”
“There has been training for teachers available, which has been through Deakin University and UTAS, which is a good start. We also have a bit of a systematic plan, running from 2024-26, and I was very pleased to be part of those initial trials. For our adults, we have the wonderful company 26Ten. They're continuing their statewide advocacy for adult literacy and numeracy training. This is a crucial lever, and they're doing some fantastic work. Our Albanese Labor government, I'm proud to say, is also putting record funding into schools, where it is much, much needed. Then there is the support from charities. If we look globally and see other areas where literacy has been a challenge in previous years, we can see the impact of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.”
“More broadly, we require that explicit instruction. We need to have clear modelling, we need to show guided practice and we need to lead that into independent practice. Many teachers these days struggle to get to the end of this system. They struggle to get kids working independently due to constant time pressures. Those time pressures are very, very hard on teachers. Our curriculum is very wide, and sometimes it's very hard to get through it all to a place where students can actually work independently. We know that there are changes happening, and I am pleased to say that the Tasmanian government schools have started implementing evidence based reading, which is fantastic, particularly using a multitiered systemic approach.”
“For years the Tasmanian government focused on a balanced literacy approach. Traditionally, we like balance. Balance is a positive thing. When we talk about balanced literacy, what it actually means is that we were teaching children to guess. We'd say: 'Look at the word. Look at the shape. What do you think it might look like? Look at the picture; that will help you.' That is not, as evidence very clearly shows now, an appropriate way to teach reading, and is a direct reason why 50 per cent of Tasmanians now face illiteracy. Synthetic phonics is an approach that has now shown consistently positive impact. Synthetic phonics is when we explicitly and systematically teach the letter-sound correspondence. This is very much a key approach that, thankfully, the Tasmanian government has started to look at, but far too late.”
“However, most of those students who are not going on to year 12 are not going into apprenticeships; they are leaving the school system, particularly because they do struggle with their reading. Our share of kids who are determined as being 'on track' by the AEDC fell from 80.6 per cent in 2009 to 77 per cent in 2021. That's a shocking statistic. That has, since 2021, started to come back, but we are nowhere near on par with the rest of the nation. We have too many adults who cannot confidently tackle everyday reading. Too many kids are starting school already behind, and far too few are finishing school. That's impacting Tasmania's productivity and wellbeing today and tomorrow and into the future. Today I'm going to investigate a little bit into how we got here and what we can do next.”
“Deputy Speaker, may I congratulate you on this role. Today I speak about Tasmania's literacy challenges. Data shows us that Tasmanians are up to, and around, 50 per cent illiterate. What that means is that they're working below level 3 literacy skills, a functional benchmark. What that means for your day-to-day life is that reading signage, engaging with any form of government forms or business, reading in the supermarket or reading maps is a real challenge for over 50 per cent of Tasmanians. One in two, an outrageous statistic. Our school completion rates are some of the lowest in the nation. Part of that is that we are hoping to get more students into apprenticeships early, and that is a really positive thing.”
“Importantly, telecommunications policy is not just about infrastructure; it's also about confidence and inclusion. People need to know what services are available, how to us them and how to stay connected. That is why programs like the Regional Tech Hub, community wi-fi initiatives and connectivity literacy training are essential, alongside the infrastructure investment. Telecommunications are vital for regional prosperity, safety and participation. I thank the committee for its work, I commend the Minister for Communications for her leadership and I look forward to continuing to work with my community and the government to ensure that every corner of Bass and every corner of regional and remote Australia is connected and ready for the future.”
“The weather conditions were poor and not a single person drove past. So these low-Earth-orbit-satellite services will help save lives. That is absolutely key. We have a particular area in regional Bass that is notorious for car crashes. It's a dirt road, it is very remote and there is no service. This will save lives, and I'm really excited to see this come about. The government is also committed to responding formally to the RTIRC report, in line with the telecommunications act 1999. While the timeline has been affected by the 2025 federal election and caretaker period, the minister has made clear that the recommendations remain under active consideration. It's a matter of process and not neglect, and the government response will reflect the seriousness and thoroughness of the committee's work.”
“Battery backup systems have been installed at three sites to improve resilience during natural disasters, and in 2026 Tasmania will be the first state to access NBN's low-Earth-orbit satellite service, bringing high speeds and lower latency to communities currently on legacy satellite services. I can speak very clearly to how important this will be. I was having a bit of an adventure when I was working remotely. My car broke down on the Arnhem Highway for two days. I am very lucky that we didn't have a crash. I'm also very lucky that I'm a little bit of a prepper at heart. We had water, food and a satphone. But unfortunately, at that time, if you had run out of data you couldn't actually restore that from your satphone device, so we were completely isolated. Two days on that road in April was really tough.”
“TasCOSS have noted that Tasmania also recorded the lowest digital literacy and skill score in the country. We have a lot of work to do. I am pleased that our government, the Albanese Labor government, has made record investments in this space since 2022 through a $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia. It is the single largest investment in regional communications since the rollout of the NBN. In Bass, this is already making a difference. We've got seven new mobile base stations that have been delivered and two new towers currently underway at Grindelwald and along the West Tamar Highway, along with a further $2.3 million committed.”
“The committee conducted more than 20 consultations and received over 300 written submissions and over 3,000 survey responses, an impressive effort—well done. This report has set out 14 recommendations that focus on affordability, mobile capacity, resilience, connectivity literacy and digital inclusion. The committee's work highlights clearly what we already hear on the ground in Bass: mobile network congestion is rising, affordability is a concern and many people are actually unaware of the different connectivity options that are available to them. Tasmania in particular continues to face digital exclusion, with the Australian Digital Inclusion Index ranking our state below the national average on all things—access, affordability and digital ability.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on telecommunications in regional Australia. This is a matter of real importance to the communities that I represent in Bass and across regional, rural and remote Australia. In 2025, telecommunications are absolutely not a luxury; they are an essential service. From a farmer in the Tamar Valley using agtech to monitor water levels to a student in George Town learning online to a mill worker in Branxholm who's connecting to a telehealth appointment, the ability to get that reliable service determines whether people can live, work and thrive within our regions. But, as the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee made clear, too many Australians do still face challenges.”
“You cannot tell me that that does not make a difference. People in Bass didn't vote for more of the same old cuts and excuses. They voted for action on cost of living. They voted for a government that backs them in, and that is exactly what Labor is delivering.”
“While helping with those costs today, we're also focusing on the future in energy, skills, health care and infrastructure, the building blocks of long-term productivity and prosperity. Those opposite may want to talk about a so-called spending spree, but we wouldn't have to be spending this much money if they had done their job. What they don't want to talk about is their record: the trillion dollars of debt with nothing to show for it; nine years of stagnant wages, and missed opportunities on energy, skills and health. The economy was weaker and more vulnerable, with fewer tools to actually help households. In contrast, the Albanese Labor government, has delivered responsible economic management and real help with the cost of living. Inflation is in the target band. Wages have been growing. More than 1.1 million jobs have been created.”
“We've introduced 60-day prescriptions and boosted bulk-billing incentives and are freezing PBS co-payments. For families in Bass, these changes are not abstract. They've saved them real money at the pharmacy counter. Since 2022, cheaper medicines reforms have saved people in Bass more than $9 million. Across Tasmania, more than $32 million has been saved. That's money that would have otherwise come out of family budgets every single time a script was filled. You can't tell me that that doesn't make a difference. You can't tell me that that doesn't matter. We've also delivered cheaper child care, free TAFE and expanded paid parental leave. These are not luxuries; they're essential supports that help families get ahead and keep our economy strong. This is not wasted money. It is planned for, and it is important.”
“In Bass, households were under severe pressure from global and other factors beyond the government's direct control. But the question for Bass households that I get asked is simple: is our government helping to ease this burden or is it leaving them to fend for themselves? I'm very proud to say that we are helping. How are we doing it? Well, since 1 July this year, eight new measures have come into effect that have put real dollars back into household budgets. Minimum and award wages have been increased. The superannuation guarantee has gone up again, building stronger retirements. Energy bill relief is flowing to households across the country, building again on the work that Labor has been doing since 2022. We have cut the cost of medicines twice.”
“We turned around more than $207 billion of budget deficit, reduced the projected debt by $177 billion, saving Australians $60 billion in interest payments that would otherwise have gone to the banks. It's amazing what you can do with that extra $60 billion when you're not giving it to banks. Our Labor government has achieved this while carefully restraining its spending. Real payments have grown under Labor. We're doing it at 1.7 per cent a year, less than half the average of what it was under the coalition. In contrast, those opposite had not found a single dollar to save in their last budgets. But numbers on a balance sheet are not the measure that matters the most. What matters to us, to Labor, is the impact on families, workers, pensioners and young people—particularly, for me, those in communities like Bass.”
“I rise today to respond to this matter of public importance as raised by the member for Fairfax. His MPI claims that the Albanese Labor government's so-called spending spree is harming households. Honestly, it baffles my mind. The truth could not be further from this claim. When we came to office in 2022, we had inherited, from those opposite, a trillion dollars of Liberal debt, deficits as far as the eye could see and a budget weighted down with waste, rorts and mismanagement. Since then, the Albanese Labor government, our government, has turned the nation's finances around, doing so while putting cost-of-living relief at the centre of its agenda. In only three budgets we have delivered two surpluses, which would be unknown to those opposite.”
“My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel. What support is the Albanese Labor government providing to our veterans when it comes to housing, and did anyone seek to delay this support for our veterans?”
“I imagine the relief in their home when they can afford their children's medication, week after week, without sacrificing the groceries. Imagine the difference for children in classrooms across the country—comfortable, focused and thriving. That is what this bill delivers: fairness, dignity and opportunity. The size of your bank balance should never determine whether you or your children can get the medicine or the care that you need. This bill ensures that in Bass, and across Australia, families can care for their health without having to choose between food and medicine. That is what good government looks like and that is what Labor delivers. I am proud to commend this bill to the House.”
“They had a chance to ease that burden at the pharmacy counter, but they didn't do it. It is Labor—it is the Albanese government—who is once again stepping up to fix this. And we're not just planning for today. This is very important in that traditional three-year cycle of government. We're actually looking ahead to 2030. The freeze for concession medicines will remain in place until then, locking in affordability for pensioners and concession card holders for the rest of the decade. Our approach is clear: health care is a right; it is not a privilege. Every reform we deliver builds towards a healthier and fairer future for all Australians. In just three years the maximum cost of each script on the PBS will have dropped from $42.50 to just $25. I think back to that family that I mentioned earlier.”
“For women and those with a uterus who have lived in pain and dismissal for too long, this service has been life changing. I've spoken with women who in the past were made to doubt themselves and made to feel weak by doctors who had not had the opportunity to learn more about endometriosis. We are now working towards a future, through these clinics and through greater public awareness, where nobody will ever feel dismissed again. These investments show Labor's vision in action: health care that is affordable, accessible and close to home. Let's be clear. Labor is the party of Medicare. Labor is the party of cheaper medicines. The last time PBS medicines cost $25 or less was in 2004—again, under a Labor government. For nearly a decade, those opposite had the chance to act.”
“In Launceston we have a busy Medicare mental health clinic, which is a safe and welcoming environment where people can get support free of charge in in a quiet, beautiful place. It has become almost a second home to some. We also have the Launceston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, which has seen over 38,000 visits in just two years. It's one of the busiest in the nation. This has saved an estimated and self-reported around 19,000 trips to the emergency room at our LGH. That is thousands of families who are able to see a GP, get treatment and avoid waiting hours in a cramped and very uncomfortable emergency department. In Bass we're also lucky enough to have an endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic, which is run exquisitely well by Family Planning Tasmania.”
“The very last thing that any parent should have to worry about is whether they can actually afford life-saving treatment for their child. I'm so happy to say that this particular girl beat the odds, thanks to the great work of our healthcare system and the absolute, unbreakable tenacity of her incredible family. She's a fit and healthy teenager whose main concerns are similar to the everyday challenges for her peers. That is why the PBS matters, that is why cheaper medicines matter and that is why our robust healthcare system matters. It's not just economics; it's dignity, it's relief and it's hope. Our government's commitment to health goes beyond that pharmacy counter.”
“A new combination therapy for stage 3 melanoma was also added, turning a life-saving $31,000 treatment into an affordable PBS medicine. They're not just numbers. These are life-changing reforms for Australians facing some of the toughest health battles imaginable. And then there is neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a rare but aggressive cancer that strikes our very youngest children. Before PBS listing, families faced bills of more than $417,000, nearly half a million dollars, for the medicine Ifinwil. I was very close to a family whose beautiful baby girl was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in the first few months of her life. The physical and emotional toll this takes on a family and those who support them is unspeakable. At those times, every ounce of energy goes into caring, loving and hoping.”
“Affordable medicines mean fewer people forced into hospital beds because they can't afford to manage their own condition at home or within their community. It means less time off work, less absenteeism and greater productivity. And, over time, it means a reduced burden on our health system—savings not only for households but for the taxpayer. This bill is not just good for health; it is good for the economy. It is smart, responsible policy that invests in people and saves money in the long run. Cheaper medicines are only part of the story. Labor is also making sure that new and life-saving medicines are being added to the PBS. For example, from August this year, a new treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease was listed, cutting the cost from $131,000 a year to, currently, just $31.60 a script.”