In a wealthy country like ours, we should be prioritising funding a world class health system. Everyone should have access to the healthcare they need, when they need it. Too many people are unable to see their GP, struggle to access mental health services, or can't afford the dental care they require.
Both the Liberals and Labor have failed to adequately address these issues, leaving all of us Australians to face increasing healthcare costs and long wait times. The Greens are working to change that.
More Bulk-Billing GPs
In October 2024, the Greens announced our policy to fix bulk-billing and make sure everyone can see the GP for free. In March this year both Labor and the LNP committed to a big part of this policy, meaning that we will soon see a big increase in the number of GPs offering bulk-billing. Greens pressure works.
The Greens policy, now adopted by both major parties, is to triple the bulk-billing incentives GPs receive from the government. GPs only get access to these incentives in addition to the baseline Medicare rebate if they offer their appointments bulk-billed (that is, free for the patient).
Bulk-billing rates have been in decline for years since Labor and the LNP froze the Medicare rebate. This is about to change: with this Greens policy coming into effect this year, the number of bulk-billing practices is anticipated to triple in the next five years.
The Greens are also pushing to:
- Provide free healthcare by setting up 1,000 free healthcare clinics across Australia, giving people access to GPs, dentists, nurses, and mental health professionals with no out-of-pocket costs through a $31.7 billion investment.
- Support the future of General Practice by closing the pay gap for trainee GPs with $900 million in grants to ensure fair pay and better opportunities for development.
Bringing Mental Health into Medicare
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Things are stressful right now: if you’re worried about the cost of living, housing and climate crisis you’re not alone. The cost of living crisis is both making health worse and causing an increasing number of people across Australia to delay or miss out on essential mental health care.
The Greens have an ambitious plan to enable everyone to get the mental healthcare they need, as often as they need it
The Greens' plan:
- Provide universal mental health care with your Medicare Card, expanding the list to more mental health professionals, removing session limits and increasing rebates.
- Ensure everyone has access to quality support from mental health practitioners by employing 1,000 additional peer workers.
- Build free healthcare clinics where people can access GPs, dentists and mental health care services with no out-of-pocket costs.
Put Dental into Medicare
Been putting off going to the dentist? You’re not alone. Too many Australians cannot access the dentist because it is too expensive, and most people are not eligible for public dentistry.
The Greens have long advocated expanding access to dental care – because health care shouldn’t stop at your neck. In 2012, we secured dental into Medicare for kids, and in the last term of Parliament, we conducted the first Senate Inquiry into access to dental care in Australia.
The Greens' plan:
- Ensure affordable dental care for all Australians by including dental services in Medicare with a $195 billion investment, reducing dental disease, preventing related health issues, and easing cost of living pressures.
Winning More Urgent Care Clinics
In February I wrote to the Health Minister asking him to urgently address the bulk billing crisis, and establish a new urgent care clinic in Ryan. This followed the release of a report showing just 4 clinics in Ryan still bulk-billing.
A few weeks later, the government announced three new urgent care clinics in the inner Brisbane area.
You can read the full letter below:
Dear Minister Butler,
As you would be aware, the rates of bulk-billing doctors has dropped dramatically across the country in recent years.
The recent Cleanbill report for January 2025 painted a distressing picture of the ability to access bulk-billing here in Ryan:
- Only 4 clinics in Ryan still bulk-bill
- The average out-of-pocket cost is $45.57
- In the past two years, Ryan has lost one third of its bulk-billing clinics
It is clear that significant action is needed to reverse this decline.
You may be aware of the Greens’ plan we are taking to the election to triple the bulk billing incentive for everyone with a Medicare card, a plan which would dramatically improve access to healthcare for all Australians. Additionally the Greens have a plan to establish 1000 public health clinics, with free GPs, dentists, nurses and psychologists.
While it is my understanding that your government is yet to commit to similar policies, I ask that at a minimum your government consider establishing a new Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in Ryan so that community members who can no longer afford to see local GPs have access to healthcare without having to attend an emergency department.
I understand that your government has identified UCCs as a key part of your reforms to the health system, and I believe the case for establishing such a clinic within my electorate is strong.
I would like to meet with you to discuss my specific proposal to establish an Urgent Care Clinic in my electorate, and other proposals which I believe would improve access to health services for my constituents, at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Elizabeth Watson-Brown
Federal Member for Ryan
For more on how the Greens are pushing for better healthcare this election, go here: https://greens.org.au/portfolios/health-mental-health