MOTIONS

Dr TRISH COOK (Bullwinkel) (16:57): Before entering this place, I spent decades on the front line as a registered nurse and midwife. I know firsthand the sheer volume of hours, the emotional weight and the intense physical commitment it takes to earn clinical qualifications. Later in my career I had the immense privilege of lecturing enrolled nurses at the TAFEs in Kalgoorlie and Northam.

Then, at Edith Cowan University, I also taught and mentored the next generation of registered nurses. In those classrooms and simulation labs, I saw the extraordinary passion and drive of our students. But far too often I also saw the profound stress etched onto their faces.

They weren't burning out because the coursework was too hard or because of their lack of dedication. They were burning out because placement poverty is real. When mandatory practical placements start, students are required to do full-time hours across hospitals, clinics and care facilities.

To do that, they may have to cut their shifts at their regular job or resign entirely, and these are often highly feminised workforces. Of course, the grocery bills do not stop, petrol and parking fees do not stop, and rent certainly doesn't stop. We have heard heartbreaking accounts of dedicated students sleeping in their cars because they cannot afford to do their required prac.

This is why, in 2024, the Prime Minister and our Labor government introduced paid prac. For the first time in our nation's history, the Australian government stepped up to provide financial support to eligible nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work students undertaking mandatory placements. Since its rollout, it has made a huge difference, alleviating the grinding pressure of daily living costs so students can focus on developing their clinical and professional skills.

It has meant the difference between dropping out and walking across the graduation stage with a qualification in their hand. From 1 July 2027, we're expanding paid prac to include eligible students from across 10 additional frontline allied health professions, including clinical psychology, physiotherapy, OT, speech pathology, paramedicine, radiography, pharmacy, rehabilitation therapies, audiology and podiatry.

These are the professionals who treat us when we're unwell or after a severe injury, and they're the ones who rush out to us in emergencies. We cannot build a health system that relies on people to bear the brunt, especially during this time of cost-of-living issues. We are building a stronger Medicare and a stronger workforce, but with practical financial support for these healthcare workers of the future, who are really going to take on the tsunami of older baby boomers, like myself and Bob, who are heading towards health care very soon.

So, we need these nurses, midwives and aged-care workers to work in our aged-care facilities, to work in our hospitals and to work in regional areas. That's why, regardless of your financial background, we are helping to train and graduate carers for our communities. I commend the motion to the House.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Aldred ): There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.