As the 48th Federal Parliament convened on July 22, Member for Dobell Emma McBride was sworn in to serve her fourth term representing the electorate.
McBride was returned at the May election, securing 59.4% of the two-party preferred vote.
As well as serving as the Member for Dobell, McBride was also reappointed by the Prime Minister as Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health.
Returning to Canberra, as part of the Labor Government, McBride will be focused on supporting more cost-of-living relief and delivering better healthcare for Coasties.
The Prime Minister announced that the first piece of legislation to be introduced in the new Parliament would be to reduce student loan debt by 20%, delivering on a key election commitment.
From July 1 key changes came into place including an increase to the minimum and award wages, additional paid parental leave and superannuation on paid parental leave, and $10,000 incentives for apprentice tradies.
From November the bulk billing incentive will be tripled for every Australian, making it easier for more people to see a GP for free.
In the coming weeks legislation will be introduced to Parliament to reduce the cost of general PBS prescriptions to $25, delivering on a commitment from the government which McBride championed as the only pharmacist in the Parliament.
“I’m honoured by the trust and confidence the people of the Central Coast have placed in me to continue serving as their representative,” McBride said.
“Coming back to Canberra, my focus is firmly on easing pressure on locals with targeted cost of living relief, including energy bill rebates and tax cuts.
“As a healthcare worker, I know the importance of affordable care close to home, which is why work is already underway to deliver an additional local Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and triple the bulk billing incentive for every Australian.”
