CARINA GARLAND, MEMBER FOR CHISHOLM: Well good morning everybody. Welcome to Burwood. And it’s really terrific to be able to welcome the Prime Minister and the Health Minister here in Chisholm. Yesterday’s announcement regarding Medicare and that Australians would be able to go visit the GP for free is really important to me. I grew up in a family where my parents ran a medical practice.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Can I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of land on which we meet today and acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Well, it's been a big week. On Tuesday, we had the first interest rate cuts since 2020. On Wednesday, we learned that real wages are increasing still, now five quarters in a row compared with the five quarters of the former government, the last five quarters where wages went backwards. On Thursday, we learned that employment was continuing to grow.
Today marks three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
For three years, Ukraine has bravely resisted Russia’s illegal and immoral war of aggression.
Australia mourns the loss of life of Ukraine’s citizens and defenders, and the generational toll of Russia’s brutality.
Australia continues to stand with Ukraine.
We have committed over $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself, including more than $1.3 billion in military support through vital equipment for the battlefield and the training of Ukrainian forces.
ALISON BYRNES, MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAM: Really excited to be here at WIN Stadium with the Prime Minister and with my colleagues Stephen Jones, Fiona Phillips, and our fabulous new candidate for Whitlam, Carol Berry, to make a great sporting announcement here for our region. Before we go on, this backs on to another exciting announcement that we made this morning. $10 million from a re-elected Labor Government for the Southern Suburbs Community Centre down at Warrawong. So this is Labor investing in our region.
ANNE URQUHART, SENATOR FOR TASMANIA: I'm Senator Anne Urquhart, Senator for the Labor Party in Tasmania. I'm based here in Devonport. It's fantastic to have the Prime Minister in Devonport.
A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will make the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago, with $8.5 billion to deliver an additional 18 million bulk billed GP visits each year, hundreds of nursing scholarships and thousands more doctors in the largest GP training program ever.
Australian patients and families will save hundreds of dollars a year in out-of-pocket costs, with patient savings of $859 million a year by 2030.
The Albanese Labor Government will provide tax relief for Australia’s distillers, brewers and wine producers.
Currently brewers and distillers get a full refund of any excise paid up to $350,000 each year. The Government will increase the excise remission cap to $400,000 for all eligible alcohol manufacturers. The Government will also increase the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) producer rebate to $400,000.
The Albanese Labor Government is backing Australian steelmakers and manufacturers now and into the future, with a $500 million investment through the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.
Australia’s energy transition is well underway – last year was a record year for investment in renewables, driving more demand for wind turbines and other electricity infrastructure.
The Albanese Government will invest $13.6 million towards the St George Illawarra Dragons Community and High Performance Centre (CHPC) – a world-class precinct and facility which would create significant legacy for sporting teams, fans and the Illawarra community into the future.
This Federal investment will allow the Dragons’ existing facilities to come together under one roof at the University of Wollongong's Innovation Campus and allows for new opportunities for the Club’s elite and junior representative programs, as well a community partnership programs.
Well, thank you very much. I also begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we're meeting today and pay my respect to elders past, present and emerging.
To the Premier of South Australia, my friend Mali, and members of his team who are here.
To my Ministers, Don Farrell and Ed Husic.
To Peter Dutton, the Leader of the Opposition, and other members of Parliament who are here.
The Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson.
It's wonderful that you're able to be here.