STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms STANLEY (Werriwa—Government Whip) (16:13): Medicare as we know it began on 1 February 1984. It had its origins in the Whitlam government—when he introduced Medibank. That scheme was abolished by the Fraser government in 1981, resulting in a privatised Medibank.

Labor has always championed universal health care no matter its name, and conservatives way back to Fraser have always sought to undermine it. Why they do this is a mystery, because few if any programs enjoy as much support as Medicare. Regardless, Labor will always have Medicare's back, and integral to growing that is bulk-billing.

Labor went to this year's election with a bold commitment to bolster bulk-billing, and, for an increasing number of Australians, that's exactly what happened. From 1 November, the only thing that they will need when they go to their GP is a Medicare card, and their credit card will remain in their pocket. In Werriwa in the June quarter of 2025, the bulk-billing rate was a terrific 94.9 per cent.

As at 27 October 2025, 17 GP practices have indicated their intent to become full Medicare bulk-billing practices. Significantly, six of these are currently mixed billing practices. So, after a decade of cuts, Medicare is back on track, with increased funding and bulk-billing.

That's great news for all Australians.