Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've got great news for the House. This government's tripling of the bulk-billing incentive has made a profound change in my electorate of Bendigo. I can proudly say that 18 of the 20 medical centres surveyed in my electorate are now bulk-billing at least one of the eligible groups. In fact, 50 per cent said that they are now bulk-billing everybody that comes through their door. This is an exciting day for us—that we have been able to turn around bulk-billing in my electorate. They said that the incentive was a direct measure that saw more GPs choosing to bulk-bill, and they are so relieved that they don't have to have those awkward conversations with patients who are seeking care when they need it.

What I'm also excited about is that the clinics who continued to bulk-bill, despite those opposite freezing the incentive and the rebate for so long, are now being paid what they should be paid for bulk-billing their patients. I am so excited to see the clinics in my electorate embracing bulk-billing and to see it restored. We have even seen some of the old bulk-billing signs pulled out and put out the front, encouraging people to see their GP because the clinic will now bulk-bill. This is just the beginning of what we are doing to restore Medicare and rebuild bulk-billing in our electorates.