Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The launch of a new bulk-billing clinic in my electorate is another win for the people of Berowra. Last month, I was delighted to officially open Asquith Doctors Medical Centre, headed up by local general practitioner Dr Mehdi Samari. The centre is Dr Samari's second practice, following the success of his Mt Kuring-Gai clinic. The support on display at the opening event is testament to the high esteem that many of Dr Samari's patients hold him in. Patients in attendance included Fred and Barbara Novak, who drove the publicity surrounding the event to show support for a doctor who supported them. Mehdi Samari is a dedicated doctor, bulk-billing his patients to provide affordable and accessible health care.

It's because of coalition policies that GP bulk-billing rates in Berowra have never been higher. When Labor left government in 2013, Berowra's bulk-billing rate for GP visits was at 83.1 per cent. Under the Turnbull government, I'm pleased to say that 86.6 per cent of all GP visits in Berowra are now bulk -billed.

At the launch, Dr Samari told me that he had many patients who needed to see him multiple times a week. If not for bulk-billing, the weekly cost of such visits for patients with chronic conditions would run into hundreds of dollars. I'm proud of all of the good doctors in my electorate for the excellent work that they do, and I'm also proud of the Turnbull government's record of achievement in delivering bulk-billing for Australia and for Berowra.

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