ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, it’s great to visit this clinic for the second time in the electorate of Fremantle. It’s one of 87 that we opened during our first term, where we promised 50, but delivered 87. All that people have needed who've attended this clinic is just their Medicare card. Making an enormous difference - getting the care they need, when they need it, and for free as a result of Medicare and our extension.
Importantly as well, what it's doing is taking pressure off local emergency departments of hospitals. This is one of the clinics in which, right around Australia, 1.5 million Australians have received the support they needed at a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. Now at the election we committed to opening another 50, as well as making sure that the ones which are the busiest in the country, such as this one, receive some additional financial support as well for the employment of additional medical staff. This is a part of our strengthening Medicare. It was a major component of why we were successful at the election. Because Australians understood that Labor believes in Medicare, will always support Medicare and will strengthen Medicare. And that's part of our commitment that we went to the election on. With as well, of course, the increase in the bulk billing incentive so that by 2030 we can reach that target of having 90 per cent of Australians seeing a doctor bulk billed so all they will need is just their Medicare card.
It was fantastic today to meet the doctors, the nurses and the staff here who are making an enormous difference. And it's great to be back in Freo, the electorate of Freo, with Josh Wilson, the fantastic local member here, as well as Mark Butler, the Health Minister. Thanks a lot.