Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was on the Central Coast for the second time in as many weeks on Friday, February 16, as he inspected the new Lake Haven Urgent Care Clinic.
The PM looked over the facility, accompanied by local MPs Gordon Reid (Robertson), Emma McBride (Dobell) and Pat Conroy (Shortland), before opening up on a variety of topics, from the controversial stage three tax cuts to PEP 11 and even his recent engagement to Jodie Haydon.
He said the clinic, along with the other urgent care clinic at Umina Beach, was a practical example of Labor delivering better health care in a way that was helping ease cost of living pressures, with Medicare covering the cost of visits.
“This centre has only been open since December and it has already seen 2,300 people – that’s 2,300 fewer people going to the emergency department at Wyong Hospital,” he said.
The PM praised the great job being done by the clinic’s doctors, nurses, health professionals and administration staff.
He said the 58 new clinics all over the country, together with changes to Medicare, would help reform an ailing health system.
“We support bulk billing with Medicare as the basis of our health care system,” he said.
Albanese talked-up the stage three tax cuts, passed recently by the House of Representatives.
“These cuts are about a fair go,” he said.
“They provide a tax cut to every Australian, not just some.
“Here on the Central Coast almost 90 per cent of taxpayers will get more of a tax cut than they would have under the Morrison Government’s plan of five years ago.
“People working part-time in retail, women going back to work, families working part-time, workers in aged care will benefit.
“Many people will be getting a tax cut who wouldn’t have got one under the previous plan.”
On the subject of a possible Central Coast wedding, the PM remained tight-lipped.
Although fiancée Jodie Haydon grew up at Avoca Beach and attended Kincumber High School, Albanese said no wedding plans had been made as yet.
“I only just popped the question on Wednesday night (Valentine’s Day),” he said.
“We will take our time and have those discussions as appropriate, but I do thank everyone for their warm wishes.”
Regarding the lack of a decision yet on the controversial PEP 11 off-shore gas exploration permit renewal, Albanese said former Prime Minister Scott Morrison “really stuffed things up”, which is why it is still an issue.
“If you pre-empt environmental legislations you will fail,” he said.
“We are determined to get this right.
“The application for the permit renewal has changed and we are considering it carefully in a way that cannot be overturned.”
When challenged over continuing approvals for coal-based power stations, Albanese said fossil fuel projects were given proper consideration under environmental legislation.
“We are looking to make Australia a clean energy super-power but you can’t just turn off the lights,” he said.
“You have to plan to ensure a smooth transition to a clean energy future.”
Regarding staff shortages in health care and other sectors, the PM said the government was working towards providing the skills needed to meet Australia’s needs in one year, five years, 10 years and 20 years.
“We are putting in place training now, through such measures as fee-free TAFE courses, to plan for the future,” he said.