A re-elected Albanese Labor Government says it will make the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago, with $8.5 billion to deliver an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits each year, hundreds of nursing scholarships and thousands more doctors in the largest GP training program ever. Australian patients and families will save hundreds of dollars a year in out-of-pocket costs, with patient savings of $859 million a year by 2030. Labor’s record investment restores the $8.3 billion the Australian Medical Association says was cut from Medicare through the funding freeze initiated by Peter Dutton a decade ago. For the first time, Labor will expand bulk billing incentives to all Australians and create an additional new incentive payment for practices that bulk bill every patient. This will mean 9 out of 10 GP visits will be bulk billed by 2030, boosting the number of fully bulk billed practices to around 4,800 nationally – triple the current number. Labor will:Expand the bulk billing incentive to all Australians.Labor tripled the bulk billing incentive for people who need to see their GP most often: pensioners, concession cardholders, and families with children.That support has restored bulk billing for those 11 million Australians.From 1 November, Labor will expand that incentive to all Australians.Introduce a new incentive payment for practices that bulk bill every patient.From 1 November, a new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program will support practices that bulk bill all their patients.On top of the bulk billing incentive, fully bulk billing practices will receive an additional 12.5% loading payment on their Medicare rebates.The combined investment means around 4,800 practices will be in a better financial position if they adopt full bulk billing. Labor will deliver more doctors and nurses into Medicare, with 400 nursing scholarships and the largest GP training program in Australian history, funding the training of 2,000 new GP trainees a year by 2028. Fact sheet – more bulk billing: ‘More bulk billing – fact sheet’Fact sheet – more doctors and nurses: ‘More doctors and nurses – fact sheet’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “Labor built Medicare, we will protect it and improve it for all Australians. “I want every Australian to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to receive the healthcare they need. “No Australian should have to check their bank balance to see if they can afford to see a doctor. That is not who we are. That is not the future we want for Australia. “This is a policy that lifts up our entire nation and ensures no one is held back and no one is left behind. “It will make Medicare even stronger, help with cost of living pressures and ensure every Australian receives the best health care that they deserve.” Health Minister Mark Butler said, “No more wondering if you need to reach for your Medicare card or your credit card: Labor will put back into Medicare every dollar that Peter Dutton’s rebate freeze took out. “Australia's doctors voted Peter Dutton the worst Health Minister in Medicare history for a reason. “Peter Dutton tried to end bulk billing with a GP tax and then started a six-year freeze to Medicare rebates that froze GP incomes and stripped billions out of Medicare. “There is no question that when it comes to Medicare, you’ll be worse off under Dutton.”

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) welcomes the commitment made by the federal government of an additional $8.5 billion in funding for Medicare and general practice, which follows years of campaigning by the AMA on the need to urgently invest in Australia’s primary care system.AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said general practitioners are the cornerstone of Australia’s healthcare system and equitable access to affordable GP care is essential.”This is the second significant package of funding for general practice from the government and follows a $5.7 billion investment in 2023 to support patients and address growing concerns over the viability of many general practices,” Dr McMullen said.“Through our Modernise Medicare campaign, we have highlighted the neglect of Medicare, which included years of frozen and inadequate indexation by successive governments,” Dr McMullen said.“In 2023, our analysis of the impact of that freeze and years of inadequate indexation found close to $4 billion had been stripped from general practice, and it would be further compounded without reform and investment. The neglect of Medicare by successive governments means the patient rebate no longer bears any relationship to the actual cost of providing high-quality services to patients.”Dr McMullen said the government had taken the AMA’s calls for more investment in general practice very seriously; however, more work was still needed to address issues relating to the growing complexity of general practice care.“This funding package will help address affordability issues for many vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians who do not currently qualify for bulk billing incentives. But greater support for patients with more complex needs can’t afford to be ignored.“We need a rethink of Medicare rebates to ensure today’s patients who have increasingly complex needs get the care they require. Today’s patients have more chronic disease, more mental illness, and our population is aging. Australians need more time with their GP, but the structure of Medicare encourages shorter consultations, meaning many patients face out-of-pocket costs."The AMA has proposed a generational reform to Medicare that would introduce a new seven-tier general practice consultation item structure that is fit-for-purpose and designed to meet the challenges of the growing burden of complex and chronic disease.“While bulk billing incentives will now be available for all patients, it is important for the public to understand that general practices will still need to set their fees based on an assessment of the costs they face in running a modern medical practice.”Dr McMullen welcomed funding to grow Australia’s GP training places to 2000 by 2028.“Only recently, in our 2025–26 budget submission, we highlighted the need for additional training places to address an impending and disastrous shortfall in GP numbers, with our 2022 report showing Australia is facing a shortage of more than 10,600 GPs by 2031.“The government has also responded to AMA calls for funding for additional training rotations in general practice for early career doctors and funding to improve and equalise employment conditions for GP doctors-in-training. This will make a significant difference to attracting more doctors into general practice, helping to improve accessibility.“The government announcement today is important. As we approach an election campaign, we look forward to hearing from the Coalition which has yet to articulate its policies for improving access to general practice.”

The Federal Government will provide tax relief for Australia’s distillers, brewers and wine producers. Currently brewers and distillers get a full refund of any excise paid up to $350,000 each year. The Government will increase the excise remission cap to $400,000 for all eligible alcohol manufacturers. The Government will also increase the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) producer rebate to $400,000. Adjusting the taxation arrangements will back an important local industry as well as supporting regional tourism, investment and job creation. Currently, around 1,500 brewers and distillers and 3,000 wine producers access these tax incentives. The proposal will apply from 1 July 2026. In addition to the tax relief, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) will be providing Australian distillers, brewers and wine producers with additional support to help them grow their exports in high priority overseas markets. This support includes the opportunity to join in trade missions, expert advice and connections to help our small and medium-size exporters tap into fast-growing markets, including in Southeast Asia and beyond. The tax relief is estimated to decrease tax receipts by $70 million over five years from 2024-25. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “To build Australia’s future, we need strong small and medium-sized businesses generating jobs and economic opportunity for Australians. “This common sense measure will back thriving local industries and open the way for growth.” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said, "We're pleased to have found room in a tight budget to provide some tax relief for a really important industry creating jobs and opportunities around Australia. "Brewers, distillers and winemakers play a large role in many local economies and this support will help them invest and grow." Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said, “Supporting small distillery, brewing and wine businesses is not just about producing exceptional products – it's about creating jobs, fostering local economies, and building a better Australia. “By boosting our export support for these businesses, we are helping fast-track their success in international markets which will create even more jobs at home.”

The NSW Government has passed three new bills to ensure the community is protected from racial hatred, offensive Nazi symbols, and desecration and harassment at places of worship.The Government’s package of legislation was developed in response to a series of unacceptable antisemitic attacks that caused community division and fear.The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Racial and Religious Hatred) Bill 2025, Crimes Amendment (Places of Worship) Bill 2025, and Crimes Amendment (Inciting Racial Hatred) Bill 2025 all passed the Parliament overnight.The legislation will create new offences and provide for tougher penalties for existing charges.It will soon be a crime to:Intentionally block, impede or hinder a person from accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship without a reasonable excuse.Harass, intimidate or threaten a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship.Such conduct is punishable by a fine of $22,000 or two years imprisonment, or both.It will also be a crime to intentionally and publicly incite hatred towards another person, or group of people, on the grounds of race – with an exception for directly referencing religious texts during religious teachings or discussions.The incitement of racial hatred will attract a maximum penalty for an individual of two years imprisonment, fines of up to $11,000, or both, while corporations can face fines of $55,000.Our legislation also:Clarifies that graffiti is a “public act” for the purposes of the offences of threatening or inciting violence and displaying Nazi symbols;Provides for tougher sentencing for displaying by public act a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue, the Sydney Jewish Museum or a Jewish school; andAggravates sentences when a person’s conduct is partially or wholly driven by hate.The laws send a clear message that we take racial hatred and antisemitism seriously, and we are prepared to act quickly and decisively to protect the community.NSW Premier Chris Minns said, “The Government has acted quickly in response to disgusting acts we have seen in our state.“Our package of legislation is a strong response to recent antisemitism, but it will also protect people of all races.”Attorney General Michael Daley said, “This package of legislation will protect members of our community in a variety of ways.“When we drafted these laws, we were mindful of preserving protest rights and freedom of political expression while also ensuring adequate community protection.“In today’s environment, this legislation sends a strong message that hatred will not be tolerated.”

The Australian Medical Association today called for the establishment of an independent national health workforce planning agency to ensure Australia’s medical workforce is distributed where it’s needed, improving access to healthcare for all Australians.  AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said building a sustainable medical workforce was essential to future-proofing Australia’s healthcare system.  “There are many regions across Australia where access to healthcare remains a challenge due to the maldistribution and shortages,” Dr McMullen said.  “This leads to Australians facing prolonged wait times for appointments, delayed diagnosis and a backlog of care, which adds up to substandard patient health outcomes.”  Dr McMullen said health workforce planning stalled when Health Workforce Australia was abolished in 2014, and the Department of Health and Aged Care had too many competing priorities to properly tackle the issue. “The impact of the loss of this agency can be seen in the workforce issues we are facing now. Thorough, evidence-based planning, coordination and policy advice is needed on workforce to ensure the healthcare needs of Australians can be met in the future.” The AMA's pre-budget submission on Australia’s healthcare workforce provides costed solutions to current workforce shortages, which are leading to more Australians struggling to receive timely care. The submission proposes a $182.6 million commitment to create an independent workforce planning agency. This aligns with the recommendations of the 2021–2031 National Medical Workforce Strategy that calls for a joint medical workforce planning and advisory body with sufficient authority and expertise to advise and make recommendations on the size and structure of the medical workforce. AMA Council of Doctors in Training Chair Dr Sanjay Hettige said Australia is faced with a situation where no-one knows how many medical students are needed to meet future community need.  “Policy development is happening in a vacuum, and we are seeing a growing number of doctors in training unable to access a specialty training place,” Dr Hettige said. “A national health workforce planning agency would ensure Australia has a health workforce with the right skills, in the right locations, to meet future community needs and demand.”  Dr McMullen said the release last year of a Department of Health and Aged Care workforce study into general practice, which confirmed the results of an earlier AMA’s analysis showing that Australia faces significant GP workforce shortages, means there is now a much more informed discussion about GP workforce numbers taking place. Read the AMA’s pre-budget submission.

From tailored Netflix recommendations to personalised Facebook feeds, artificial intelligence (AI) adeptly serves content that matches our preferences and past behaviours. But while a restaurant tip or two is handy, how comfortable would you be if AI-algorithms were in charge of your medical expert or new hire?Now, a new study from the University of South Australia shows that most people are more likely to trust AI in situations where the stakes are low, such as music suggestions, but less likely to trust AI in high-stakes situations, such as medical decisions. However, those with poor statistical literacy or little familiarity with AI were just as likely to trust algorithms for trivial choices as they were for critical decisions. Assessing responses from nearly 2000 participants across 20 countries, researchers found that statistical literacy affects trust differently. People who understand that AI-algorithms work through pattern-based predictions (but also have risks and biases) were more sceptical of AI in high-stakes situations, but less so in low-stakes situations. They also found that older people and men were generally more cautious of algorithms, as were people in highly industrialised nations like Japan, the US, and the UK. Understanding how and when people trust AI-algorithms is essential, particularly as society continues to introduce and adopt machine-learning technologies. AI adoption rates have increased dramatically with 72% of organisations now using AI in their business. Lead author and human and artificial cognition expert, Dr Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos, says the speed at which smart technologies are being used to outsource decisions is outpacing our understanding to successfully integrate them into society. “Algorithms are becoming increasingly influential in our lives, impacting everything from minor choices about music or food, to major decisions about finances, healthcare, and even justice,” Dr Marmolejo-Ramos says. “But the use of algorithms to help make decisions implies that there should be some confidence in their reliability. That’s why it’s so important to understand what influences people’s trust in algorithmic decision-making. “Our research found that in low-stakes scenarios, such as restaurant recommendations or music selection, people with higher levels of statistical literacy were more likely to trust algorithms. “Yet, when the stakes were high, for things like health or employment, the opposite was true; those with better statistical understanding were less likely to place their faith in algorithms.” UniSA’s Dr Florence Gabriel says there should be a concentrated effort to promote statistical and AI literacy among the general population so that people can better judge when to trust algorithmic decisions. “An AI-generated algorithm is only as good as the data and coding that it’s based on,” Dr Gabriel says. “We only need to look at the recent banning of DeepSeek to grasp how algorithms can produce biased or risky data depending on the content that it was built upon. “On the flip side, when an algorithm has been developed through a trusted and transparent source, such as the custom-build EdChat chatbot for South Australian schools, it’s more easily trusted. “Learning these distinctions is important. People need to know more about how algorithms work, and we need to find ways to deliver this in clear, simple ways that are relevant to the user’s needs and concerns. “People care about what the algorithm does and how it affects them. We need clear, jargon-free explanations that align with the user’s concerns and context. That way we can help people to responsibly engage with AI.”