STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator CAROL BROWN (Tasmania) (13:58): I rise today to speak about a community barbecue I attended recently at Bridgewater Parkland. It was a little windy, but the sun was out. It was a typical glorious day in Tassie and that was more than enough to bring people out for a snag and a chat.

I was there with Assistant Minister Rebecca White MP, the federal Labor member for Lyons and my good friend Brian Mitchell MP, a state Labor member for Lyons. I've known Rebecca and Brian for many years and I know how hard they both work for the communities they represent. They know Lyons incredibly well.

They turn up, they listen and they care deeply about getting things done for local people. It was great to spend the afternoon with them, catching up with locals and hearing about what was on their minds. Senator Duniam interjecting— Senator CAROL BROWN: You wouldn't find your way out there, Senator Duniam!

One thing we heard about was health care, particularly the Bridgewater Medicare urgent care clinic at Jordan River Health. The clinic opened in December 2024 and provides full bulk-billed walk-in care seven days a week for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions. And the locals are using it.

The Bridgewater clinic has now seen more than 18,000 visits since it opened. That means thousands of people have been able to get care closer to home, without having to travel into Hobart.