CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr ROB MITCHELL (McEwen) (16:27): Back at home, over the last few weeks, I've had the great pleasure of seeing firsthand the work that Labor is doing to strengthen our healthcare system. I had the pleasure of joining my good friend the member for Macedon and Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas MP, at the Neal Street Medical Clinic in Gisborne. The clinic is now a fully bulk-billing practice.

This means that locals can come and see their GP and be assured that they will get quality care without out-of-pocket costs. The Neal Street clinic is well known in our community, and this has reinforced the good work that it is already doing. I know that the committed team of doctors, nurses, allied health and reception staff will continue to provide compassionate and professional support.

Because of the Albanese Labor government's historic $8.5 billion investment in Medicare, all patients who walk through the doors in Gisborne can be assured of the sort of access and treatment we all should have. All they will need for an appointment is their Medicare card, not a credit card. This is on top of the new practices we've seen open in places like Mernda that are fully bulk billing and others in the area that are extending their bulk-billing because of the investment we put in.

It's important that we keep remembering that our health system is one of the best in the world. It's envied by many, many people wherever you go. We've got to make sure we keep delivering on it through our 50 Medicare urgent care clinics, including one in McEwen.

At home in Diamond Creek, we will have one that will be open with extended hours for seven days a week and no appointment needed. Lastly, I want to recognise Kirra Wright of Wallan for her fantastic performance in the World Para Athletics Championships. She put Australia on the board, recording our first medal of the championships, thanks to a silver in the women's shot put F36 competition.

Backing that up, she finished strongly in the 100 metres T36 final, coming in fifth. A former Wandong Primary School student, Kirra is a role model for our community, and we are very proud of her success. She is also one of the winners of the Local Sporting Champions grant in McEwen, receiving $1,000 earlier this year to help with this year's Australian track and field championships in Western Australia.

Keep a good eye on her, because I reckon there's a fair chance we're going to see her compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. The sporting champs grants are a great idea that this government works through to support young people with great talent right across different sporting codes. It's important that we keep these sorts of programs going, because the grassroots stuff that we do now will deliver the champions of the future.

I know that, for people like Kirra, this money goes a long way to helping her and her family get to these events but also to helping her reach her dreams. I think it's great that we can see people from small country towns get out there, compete on the world stage and be the best. Again, great job, Kirra.

Good luck with the future and keep up the great work.