Sam Lim (Tangney, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank the member for Werriwa for taking the time to ensure that this parliament celebrates the 39th anniversary of the introduction of Medicare by the Hawke government. It is so important we celebrate a milestone such as this. It is important that we note the milestones of any government service that is so important to the direct wellbeing of Australians.

Medicare has survived through eight prime ministers and a handful of recessions, epidemics and pandemics. Medicare was created to ensure access for all Australians to Australia's world-class healthcare system when Australia needs it. It is a promise that, no matter what, every Australian should be afforded the dignity of health care. It does not matter their skin colour or income or gender or age. In Australia, something so important does not matter; all that matters is that when Australians need help they can get it.

Medicare has had many victories since it was born. Australians all over the country have deeply personal stories about Medicare and about how, without Medicare, there could be one less place set at the dinner table. Each of Medicare's greatest victories can look very different for each family. To me, it means that my eldest daughter was able to focus on fighting cancer and getting well, and not on the cost of her fight or whether she could afford it. Her country had her back.

There is still work to be done to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Australians. I am pleased to celebrate that, as of 1 January this year, the government has reduced the cost of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment by $12.50 to a maximum of $30. This means that medicine will be cheaper and more accessible for Australian families. This reduction in the cost of medicine is just one step in our ongoing commitment to improve the accessibility and affordability of health care for all Australians. We will continue to work to ensure that all Australians have access to the medical care they need when they need it.

The reduction in the PBS co-payment does not just ease cost-of-living pressures for Australians who are struggling with their health and struggling with their wallet. It is so much more. This says something about Australia as a nation, as a community and as individuals. We want to be there for one another. We want to support people when they are in the fight of their lives, or for their lives. We want you to win. We want you to know that your community and your nation are together with you, even at a time when you may feel like the most lonely person in the most difficult place of your life. We want to help you, so we don't have to look into your wallet before you decide to get better. We will cover the bill because we know that you as an individual would want to do the same for us.

That is what makes this country so great. As individuals, people want to cover the bill and, as a community and as a nation, we want to, and so we do. Many of us owe you our lives, and we make it up to each other before and after we ever get sick. Happy anniversary, Medicare. You make me proud to be an Australian.

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