Medicare bulk billing strengthened as largest investment in 40 years takes effect

The Albanese Government is making it easier to see a bulk billing doctor for more than 11 million Australians, with the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare.

From today, the incentive that general practitioners receive to bulk bill children under 16, pensioners and other Commonwealth concession cardholders will be tripled for most common GP consults.

It will be easier to find a bulk billing doctor for around 5 million children and their families and 7 million pensioners and other concession cardholders.

Seat at World Table a priority amid global turmoil in Ukraine, Middle East Israel - Hamas conflict

What happens in the world matters at home.

Global dynamics impact our security and our economy, but as we’ve seen through times of Covid and conflict, we also feel the effects in our household bills and jobs.

We feel it every time we visit the shops or the petrol pump. Everything is interlinked.

Never has this been more evident than during my visit to Washington last week.

My meetings there came at a time when our world faces a set of profound challenges.

Doorstop Interview - Bundaberg

TOM SMITH, MEMBER FOR BUNDABERG: Well ladies and gentlemen my name is Tom Smith, I'm the State Member for Bundaberg, and today is such an exciting day for the entire Bundaberg region and of course for the family here owning Bundaberg Brewed Drinks. We know how important manufacturing is to the Bundaberg region and we know how important that community feel is. So to the family who has every part of Bundaberg as Bundaberg is part of them, congratulations on such a great event.

Radio Interview - ABC Wide Bay Breakfast with David Dosett

DAVID DOWSETT, HOST: And Anthony Albanese will soon be in Beijing, the first visit by an Australian leader in seven years. But today, a ginger beer in Bundaberg. Prime Minister, good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. It's wonderful to be back in this beautiful part of the world.

DOWSETT: Yes. So, you're here to crack open our most famous soft drink’s new factory?

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks’ refresh and jobs boom

The global success of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks is set to continue as the business’s new super brewery is opened in Bundaberg today.

The new facility will allow for increased production of the brand’s iconic ginger beer and other soft drinks, further ensuring the company’s growth for many years to come.

The $152.4 million facility took two years to construct and includes an innovation centre, large storage and cold room facilities, a laboratory as well as manufacturing and processing equipment.

Radio Interview - Triple M 93.1 Bundy

ELLERINA MCPHERSON, HOST: We've had a lot of grand guests on. But I'm very excited for this one in particular, we did mention today. He's got a lot of nicknames.

JOE BAXTER, HOST: Maybe use his real name.

MCPHERSON: You may know him as Mr Albanese. You may know him as Anth the man. You may know him as lemon squeezy. Or you may know him as the Prime Minister. Mr Anthony Albanese, good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Wonderful to be with you, I think.

Radio Interview - NOVA Afternoons

TIM, HOST: Welcome, Prime Minister.

JOEL, HOST: Hello, Prime Minister.

RICKI-LEE, HOST: Hello.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be here. Not the first inappropriate conversation I've overheard on Nova.

RICKI-LEE: It's just a daily occurrence in here, I’m sorry.

PRIME MINISTER: It just happens. It just happens.

RICKI-LEE: How are you?

Press Conference - Sydney

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Can I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners and pay my respects to elder's past, present and emerging, and to say, it's fantastic to be here in Kirrawee, and I thank the school principal, the teachers, and importantly, the students for the very warm welcome here today.

Opening Remarks - Bundaberg

CLIFF FLEMING, BUNDABERG BREWED DRINKS FOUNDER: Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia and distinguished guests. I thank you for coming and honouring us today, Prime Minister. It is a very important day for our family. It's a combination of a dream, a dream where fifty-five years ago I came to Bundaberg and established a little business called Electra Breweries in Electra Street and it started with family and two employees.

Invested in Southeast Asia

The Australian Government has today launched Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 to deepen Australia’s economic engagement with our region and ensure our shared future prosperity.

The strategy, developed by Mr Nicholas Moore AO, Special Envoy for Southeast Asia, was announced by the Prime Minister at the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta today.

It sets out a practical pathway to increase Australia’s two-way trade and investment with the region.