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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“Last year 1.2 million Australians delayed or went without filling a prescription because of the cost. We know what happens when people can't afford their medicines. Their physical and their emotional health suffers. When their health suffers, our health system bears the cost—more hospitalisations, more acute episodes and more pressure on GPs and emergency departments. This bill is not just about cheaper scripts. It's about better health outcomes, stronger families and healthier, happier communities. There's also a powerful case economically for cheaper medicines. Every time someone is able to take the medicine that's been prescribed to them, we reduce the risk of a costly hospital admission and we keep people well enough to keep working, studying and caring for their loved ones.”
“That is $9.2 million that families have been able to keep in their pockets, $9.2 million that has meant older Tasmanians can keep taking their medicines without having to skip doses and $9.2 million that has meant parents can afford both asthma medication and groceries. Across Tasmania as a whole, our state savings since 2022 total more than $32 million. That is what cost-of-living relief looks like on the ground—real savings for real people on every corner of our island. As I mentioned, pharmacists in Launceston and right across Bass have told me the same thing again and again. They've seen too many people walking away from the counter without their medications, too many saying, 'I will come back next week when I get paid.' This isn't just an anecdote. National data confirms it.”
“In January 2023, the Labor government made the largest cut in the history of the PBS, dropping the maximum cost for scripts from $42.50 to $31.60. We introduced 60-day prescriptions and we made filling scripts much easier. This bill is the next step—a more than 20 per cent cut to the maximum cost of PBS medicines, saving Australians over $200 million each year. That is immediate, practical and fair cost-of-living relief delivered by a Labor government. I represent Bass in northern Tasmania. We are a region of proud and hardworking people. But, like in many parts of Australia, many families in Bass are doing it tough. But, since being elected to government in 2022, the Labor government has ensured that the people of Bass have already saved more than $9.2 million at the pharmacy counter.”
“I remember speaking to a pharmacist in Kings Meadows and another in Ravenswood, right in the heart of Bass, who told me similar stories of parents standing at the counter and weighing up which prescription they could afford to take home and which one they would have to leave behind. No parent in Australia should ever have to make that choice and, with this bill, fewer families will. Why does this matter? From 1 January next year, the maximum cost of a PBS prescription for general patients will fall to just $25. That is the lowest price in more than 20 years. The last time medicines were this affordable was 2004—again, under a Labor government. This reform builds on Labor's record of delivering cheaper medicines, and what an impressive record that is.”
“It's about two children, both neurodiverse, both with multiple diagnoses, who thrived on consistency, who needed the stability of daily medication to feel comfortable in their own skin, complete daily tasks and find success and enjoyment at school. But their parents faced impossible choices, with rising rents and grocery bills, climbing electricity bills piling up and then the cost of prescriptions on top of that. There were months when they had to choose between buying ADHD medication and putting food on the table. When these children missed that medication, they felt sick, restless and unable to focus. They became frustrated and upset when they couldn't keep up in class. Their parents struggled deeply, weighing up these choices when times were particularly tough.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025. This is a bill that delivers practical, meaningful cost-of-living relief to Australians, including thousands of families across my electorate of Bass. This bill goes to the heart of what good government is about. It's about fairness. It's about making sure that every Australian, regardless of the size of their bank balance or where they live, can access the medicines they need to stay healthy and care for their families. I want to share a story about a family from northern Tasmania. This story took place a few years ago.”
“We also know that fully bulk-billing clinics like Dr Reddy's are worth their weight in gold. He has won the Tasmanian award for best clinic and best practice in Tasmania. We are so proud to have him and his work. Thank you very much, Dr Reddy. It is integral that more Tasmanians are able to train closer to home so that more Tasmanians can deliver the health care needed in our community. This is the model that works. This is the commitment that Bass deserves, because every person, no matter their postcode, should be able to access quality, affordable care when and where they need it.”
“I was proud to stand alongside the minister for health to announce funding to deliver end-to-end medical training at the University of Tasmania. This means that, for the first time ever, medical students can complete their entire medical degree in Launceston. For a regional community, that is huge. Quite frankly, when I was growing up, that was unheard of. More medical students graduating in Launceston will mean more doctors living and working in Bass. When you train in a regional area, the data tells us that you are more likely to stay in that area. I think of Peta, a local medical student who did her placement with the exceptional Dr Reddy's practice in Beaconsfield. That experience helped her to solidify her future goals. She now wants to be a regional GP because she saw firsthand how powerful that role is within a community.”
“On its busiest day this month, 84 patients were seen by a doctor at the Medicare urgent care clinic. That's 84 Tasmanians, 84 of my constituents, who did haven't to wait at the emergency department or try to get an after-hours GP appointment. They could see a doctor when and where they needed to, for free. In fact, just last week the clinic saw as many patients in a single day as our already overstretched local hospital emergency department did in a 24-hour period. I shudder to think what people would have done if they hadn't had access to this Medicare urgent care clinic. Labor also knows that to improve health outcomes for people we also need to invest in training and retaining more doctors and building our future workforce in the regions.”
“This includes cheaper medicines, because nobody should be splitting tablets in half to stretch out a script; 1800MEDICARE, a national triage line to provide support 24/7; and an endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic that is already changing lives, where people can feel heard and understood and get the treatment that they need. For urgent but non-emergency care, Launceston's Medicare urgent care clinic continues to be a lifeline for our community. Our clinic is one of the busiest in the country and perhaps the only one that's had to treat multiple Tasmanian devil bites in its time. The numbers don't lie. In the first half of this year, the Launceston Medicare urgent care clinic saw an average of 54 patients per day. Since its expanded opening hours on 1 July, the clinic sees 73 patients on average every day.”
“In Bass, we understand the meaning of doing more with less, particularly when it comes to health. In some of our more regional communities, getting to a doctor can take hours. Bulk-billing GPs are a threatened species, and for many families the rising cost of medicines means making impossible choices. Bass is one of the most underserved electorates in the country when it comes to access to healthcare professionals. I've heard these stories firsthand: a grandmother on a surgery waitlist for years, a child missing out on early intervention or a young person waiting for diagnosis and yet falling through the cracks. But Labor is stepping up. In this year's budget, the Albanese government has delivered the biggest investment in Medicare ever seen in Bass.”
“But it's Archie's button—a child's act of kindness, a moment of connection and a symbol of what matters most. Leadership doesn't have to be loud. It can be gentle. It can be generous. And it can begin with a button. To the people of Bass, whether we've met yet or not, I carry this for you too. My promise is simple: I will listen, I will act and I will connect. And I will never forget what brought me here. Let's lead with kindness. Let's connect with courage. And let's build something better together. Thank you.”
“This is the strength of our community. But, even in our strong community, there are fractures that we cannot ignore. Tasmania has some of the worst health and education outcomes in the country. We have some of the lowest year 12 completion rates and some of the highest rates of chronic illness. Too many young Tasmanians are struggling with literacy, with housing and with hope. These aren't just statistics; these are people. They are your neighbours, your children and your friends. And that is not good enough. My job—our job—is to change that, to improve these statistics and to make sure that no-one in our community is left behind. So, yes, I brought this button in with me today. It fits in the palm of my hand. It's not shiny. It's not worth anything on paper.”
“I was raised by strong, hilarious and fiercely intelligent women: Marion, Kimbra and my exceptional mum, Ann. These women saw volunteering and supporting their community as a given—not even a question. Your community is what you make it, so give what you can to it. That's how, at age 13, I started volunteering at the YMCA. And what I learned is this: volunteering isn't just about helping others; it's about discovering and improving yourself and the way that you engage with your community. It builds us, it connects us and it makes us better, and I see it every day in Bass at Shekinah House, Strike It Out, parkrun, Rosie's Reading; in op shops, Men's Sheds, Neighbourhood Houses; in Rotary and Lions clubs; and in the quiet acts of courage, patience and dedication that never make the news but change lives all the same.”
“We have landscapes so breathtaking and so commonplace that we sometimes forget just how lucky we are. We also have grit, innovation and history. We were the first area in the Southern Hemisphere to use anaesthetic, the first city in Australia to be powered by public hydroelectricity and the first Australian city with underground sewers or to take an X-ray. Bass doesn't wait for the future; we lead it. And, today, we still do. We have cutting-edge manufacturing, renewable energy and incredible community organisations, such as the Benevolent Society, still operating after 190 years, with over 70 volunteers helping furnish homes and helping people feed their children. That's the spirit of Bass—bold, innovative, generous—and I was lucky enough to see the impacts of generosity from a young age.”
“The answer came quietly, as most good answers do: to connect—to connect people to services, to connect ideas to action, to connect the dots between problems and solutions and to make sure that, when someone walks into my office nervous, frustrated and out of options, they leave with something: a path forward, a next step and a sense that they were heard. That's what I want that job, this experience, to be, and that is how I will measure my success for this role as a federal member for Bass. Eight generations of my family have called Bass home, near the beautiful Kanamaluka River. We've farmed, built boats and mined gold. I know Bass, and I know that Bass is exceptional. We have world-class vineyards, Australia's only UNESCO City of Gastronomy and some of the world's best mountain-biking trails.”
“I know politics can leave a bad taste for people, but I believe that, when more Australians get involved, we build better policy and a better country. So, if you hope for a different future, if you have an idea or if you want to help, find a party that fits your values. Go to a branch meeting, get involved and be part of developing a future that you want. That is why I am here. This is my purpose: to build a future where every child feels heard, seen, supported and free to dream big. That question—what kind of future do we build?—is at the very heart of this role. After the election, I asked myself: What now? What does it actually mean to represent a place, to serve?”
“But I also saw something different: leaders who sat, who listened and who asked questions to understand. That's when I started paying more attention, because that's what politics should be: community led, grounded in respect and driven by care. When I came back to Tasmania, I joined the Labor Party, not because I had a grand plan—I certainly didn't expect to be here—but because I wanted to help inform good policy. I remember walking into my first Tamar branch meeting, nervous and unsure if I belonged, but I'm so glad that I did. I found acceptance. I found people who cared, who wanted to serve and who could share ideas and disagree respectfully. I know many of our Tasmanian branch members are watching today, and I thank you for your ongoing support.”
“Ramo is an extraordinary place. I loved my job and my time there, and I learned every day, from my students, my neighbours, my colleagues and the families who welcomed me in. But, like many remote communities, Ramo faces real challenges. Housing was scarce; people had to sleep in shifts. Diesel didn't always make it off the barge to power the generators. When someone needed urgent care, getting to a hospital could take hours, if the weather allowed it at all. People learned to rely on one another; they had to. But, as independent as we tried to be, we also had to rely on funding and being heard and understood by those who control it. I watched politicians fly in, make announcements, take some nice photos with the kids and leave within the hour.”
“This leads me to one of the most common questions I was asked during the campaign: why? Why would you put yourself forward for a job like this, and what makes you worthy? While hope is integral to us in our humanity, it is not enough only to hope for change; it must always be partnered with action. The truth is I had very little interest in politics growing up. Mum worked hard to make sure that I had what I needed, and I was happy. It wasn't until I began to travel and to really understand how systems work and how policy touches every part of our lives that I started paying attention. My first teaching job was in Ramingining, a remote Yolngu community in Arnhem Land about 800 people strong. On a good day, it's a six-to-eight-hour drive to Darwin, and in the wet season you hold your breath as your tiny plane dances around storm clouds.”
“Willow will grow up wrapped in unconditional love, surrounded by people who believe in her, who cheer her on and who will be there no matter what. But I wonder and I ask: What will define success for her generation? Will it be owning a home, or simply being able to afford rent? Will it be the freedom to choose her path, her work, her family and her future? Will it be growing up safe, supported and seen, no matter who she is or where she's from? I hope Willow learns from wise teachers. I hope she grows within a strong and kind community. I hope she's held by a world that prioritises keeping her emotionally and physically safe. I hope she knows that she belongs, that her voice matters and that fairness isn't something she has to fight for; it's something that she can count on.”
“They were proud, encouraging and quietly cheering me on, and that's what great teachers do. But too many of our teachers are burning out. They're being stretched beyond what's fair, and many are leaving. That's why I'm really proud to be part of a government that is listening. We're fully funding public education. We're delivering free TAFE, reducing HECS, expanding mental health support and taking bold steps to give our kids a break from the relentless noise of social media. It's not just about policy; it's about people and the future that we want. This week, my family celebrated the arrival of my perfect niece, Willow. Hugh and Tara, thank you for the extraordinary gift of making me an aunt and asking me to announce her name here for the first time, for Willow's family and loved ones to be a part of this moment.”
“It's about opening doors to further study, meaningful work and communication. Reading is one of the most important skills a person can learn, and I know so many teachers across the country who share the same joy in helping people, young or old, discover the power of reading. But, if you've been in a classroom lately, you know that teachers wear too many hats. They carry too many roles. They're educators, counsellors, snack providers, data collectors, resource creators, learners, reporters and event organisers, often all in one day. But through it all they focus on their students. They carry their hopes, their futures and their fears. Teachers walk beside us quietly, steadily, believing in us, even when we don't always believe in ourselves. During the campaign, some former teachers reached out. Many I hadn't seen in years.”
“I became skilled in supporting students who were learning English as an additional language or dialect and those students with disabilities or additional needs. Teaching brings so much joy. There are days full of laughter and light and others filled with frustration—frustration in a system that too often feels inflexible and doesn't allow teachers to meet students where they are. There are many moments I look back on with deep fondness, but my greatest passion will always be teaching people to read. There is nothing quite like helping someone at any age unlock the English language. To watch someone start to enjoy reading, to see their confidence grow as they engage with text, is one of the great privileges of teaching. It's not just about books; it's about science, instruction and conversation.”
“To the unions who supported and engaged with us: thank you. Australia's union movement is something we can be rightly proud of, and many countries look on with envy at the hard-won conditions that it has secured. To our intrepid volunteers: thank you. You show up with kindness, grit and good humour, no matter the weather. You keep us going, keep us fed and lift us up when we need it the most. I'll never stop being grateful. When I think about people who shaped me, not just as a politician but as a person, I think of teachers. Only a few months ago I was a teacher too. For 14 years I worked in remote and regional schools teaching students from prep to year 12. Because of the diverse needs of the students in front of me, I kept studying.”
“You stood up for what you believed in even when that meant standing alone. I thank you for your service in this House. To my small but mighty family: you show up. You ask for nothing and make everything better. Laughing with you is my favourite thing in the world. Thank you for working through every challenge and harebrained scheme together. To Liam, whose radiant smile and front-row cheerleading is the truest expression of love that I have ever known: thank you. To my campaign team: we started small, just Luke and me, learning the ropes as fast as we could. What we built together grew into a team of some of the smartest, hardest-working and most dedicated people I now feel lucky enough to call friends. Seeing your joy on election night was a gift that I will never forget. Thank you.”
“To Janie Finlay, who showed me how to make the most of every moment and turn it into the change that we want to see: thank you. I'm deeply grateful to the many ministers who offered their support during the campaign and beyond. I took each moment as a lesson, and I look forward to learning and working beside each of you. Prime Minister, I particularly thank you for being present at key moments throughout my entire campaign, from introducing me as a candidate to hosting the major Medicare announcement in Launceston to flipping sausages for volunteers who had worked so hard to support our dream. Your presence, constant belief and support have made these moments particularly special for everyone who was involved. To Bridget Archer: I know you care deeply for Bass and its people.”
“I extend my acknowledgement and deepest respects to the Ngunnawal people, whose country we are standing on today. I recognise the enduring strength and wisdom of First Nations people and the importance of listening, being led and sharing decisions. I recognise the significance for truth telling, healing and justice to be part of Australia's future and a strong link to closing the gap for better outcomes for First Nations people. I'm here today because of the people who stood beside me and those who came before. To Michelle O'Byrne, who stood in this chamber nearly 20 years ago and asked when it would reflect the true diversity of Australia: thank you for your service, advice and encouragement. It's taken time, Michelle, but this week we are finally taking a step towards a parliament that truly looks like its people.”
“But it's the small human things that actually hold us together, especially when distant horizons feel like they begin to darken. As I hold Archie's gift, I'm reminded that we walk in the footsteps of generations of his ancestors and on lands filled with deep stories far older than any of us. I acknowledge and pay my deepest respects to Palawa elders past and present, community members, their families and the Palawa people that passed too soon and did not make elder status yet who remain in the thoughts of their families and their community across Lutruwita/Tasmania. I acknowledge Palawa are the traditional owners and carers of country and sea country of Lutruwita that span millennia. There is a strong connection to country for Palawa, who continue to pass on cultural practices and knowledge to the next generation in my electorate of Bass.”
“I believe that we learn through stories, so please me allow me to share mine. A little boy handed me a button. His name is Archie. No explanation, no big moment—just a quiet, unexpected gift at the door of a stranger. It was the final week of the campaign. I was tired, hopeful and stretched to my limit. And there he was, a small hand reaching out offering me something precious. Something small, yes, but full of meaning. Did he sense, maybe, at that point in time, I really needed a lucky button? Perhaps. I carried it with me through the final week. I kept it close on election night, and I brought it here with me today, because this button became a reminder of kindness, of trust—of why we do this. This chamber hears a lot of talk about policy, priorities and power.”