Defence Portfolio

Ms JORDAN-BAIRD (Gorton) (19:06): I couldn't be prouder to stand here in this chamber to speak to the work the Albanese Labor government is doing to improve access to health care for Australians right across the country. I stand here today for one reason, and that is that Labor has always fought and will always fight for accessible health care. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme was first introduced by the Chifley Labor government in 1948, introducing a revolutionary principle to Australia—that no Australian should go without necessary treatment because of cost.

In 2013 the Gillard Labor government introduced the NDIS, a generation-shaping reform to support Australians living with significant disability, and their carers and families. In 1984 the Hawke Labor government established our universal healthcare scheme, Medicare. It's one of the reasons I joined the Australian Labor Party as a teenager.

And today the Albanese Labor government has made record investments in Medicare, because we know that access to affordable health care is in the interests of every single Australian. For my community, I know this is making a real difference to people's lives. I represent Melbourne's western suburbs, where you'll find some of the fastest growing communities in Australia.

There are more than 50,000 families across the electorate, and new ones are being created every single day. As families move in and build their futures, there's an increasing need for accessible healthcare services. Families deserve regular access to a GP appointment, and not one that costs so much it turns people away.

That's why I'm so proud of our Medicare bulk-billing clinics. I'm so excited to report that in my community there are now 24 Medicare bulk-billing practices, up from 13 before our bulk-billing changes were introduced. That means that at 75 per cent of clinics in my electorate of Gorton you can see a doctor for free—75 per cent!

This is all thanks to Labor's record investment in Medicare. It really does make a difference for busy families juggling supermarket shops, energy bills and rent or mortgage payments. Access to affordable, quality health care takes a huge load off the household budget and improves health outcomes for our community.

That's why we've made medicines cheaper, capping the cost of PBS listed medicines at just $25. In my electorate of Gorton, that's a total saving of more than $9.1 million. It's why we've doubled the number of medicines now available for a 60-day prescription, as well, and why we've introduced more medicines to the PBS, including new contraceptives.

We know that women's health care matters and women deserve to have their health prioritised by their own government—something those opposite have not done before. We've added the first new contraceptive pills to the PBS in 30 years, and we've introduced first new menopause treatments to the PBS in 20 years. We're ensuring better access to IUDs and birth control implants as well.

This comes along with our commitment to open 33 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics right across the country, including one near my community, in Werribee. Thanks to these initiatives, Australian women and their families will save thousands of dollars on health related costs across their lifetime. Also, I couldn't be prouder than to be one of the youngest members of the House of Representatives, representing an electorate made up of young people.

The median age in my electorate is 35 years old, just a little bit older than me. Our younger generations face unique pressures that our parents' generation did not experience, including increased rates of mental health issues. Access to mental health services is an issue raised regularly with me by locals, and it's why we've launched our Medicare Mental Health Check In.

This free service connects you with professional mental health support over the phone. For many in my community, a free service like this is a lifeline, and it's guided by the same principle that underlies every one of our government decisions on health. Health care should be there when Aussies need it, regardless of your postcode or your bank balance.

It's guided Labor governments for generations, and it continues to guide the decisions of the Albanese Labor government today, because we know that quality, accessible health care is not a privilege. It's a right for every Australian.