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The Albanese Government is making the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago, with our $8.5 billion package delivering on our commitment to more bulk billing and more doctors for all Australians.

For the first time, bulk billing incentives will be paid to GPs for every patient they bulk bill. Previously these incentives were only available to children under 16 and concession card holders.

The Albanese Government’s investment will deliver an additional 18 million bulk billed GP visits every year.

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.

Already over 1,000 GP practices that were previously mixed billing have signed up to become fully bulk billing practices. This is on top of the 1,600 GP practices that are currently fully bulk billing. This means that over 2,600 GP practices are expected to be become fully bulk billing around the country and counting.

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.

It is now easier to find a bulk billed GP appointment, with all Australians now eligible for bulk billing incentives.

GP practices can calculate how much they will be better off and register for BBPIP by visiting health.gov.au/BBPIP.

Prime Minister

“Labor built Medicare and now we’re strengthening it and improving health care for all Australians.

“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. 

“We’re delivering more bulk billing for every Australian, making it easier to see a doctor and saving families money.  

“Delivering on this election commitment lifts up our entire nation and ensures no one is held back, and no one is left behind.”

Minister Butler

“I want every Australian to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to receive the health care they need.

“Every electorate in the country will now have GP practices that bulk bill every patient.  

“After a decade of cuts and neglect from the Coalition bulk billing was in freefall.

“These investment builds on the three largest boosts to Medicare rebates in decades.

“Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare and that’s what the Albanese Government is delivering.”

Newcastle Police have charged a man after he allegedly assaulted a woman in a wheelchair on the weekend.

About 2.20am on Saturday 1 November 2025, police were called to a hotel on King Street, Newcastle West, following reports of an assault.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and were told an unknown man had allegedly pulled the wheel off a wheelchair causing the user to fall onto the ground before he ran from the scene.

The wheelchair user – a 23-year-old woman who lives hearing and sight impairment – was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Following inquiries, police attended a home on Turton Road, New Lambton, about 6.50pm yesterday (Sunday 2 November 2025), where they arrested a 23-year-old man.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 13 November 2025.

Major traffic relief has arrived for Hunter motorists, with one of the region’s most frustrating bottlenecks taking a huge step forward, with three southbound lanes now open on Hexham Straight.
The milestone marks significant progress on the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments’ $2.24 billion investment to bust congestion and improve safety through the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension and Hexham Straight Widening projects.
For the 50,000 motorists who rely on this corridor every day, the opening means smoother, safer and more reliable trips between Old Maitland Road and Sparke Street.
A new southbound bridge over Ironbark Creek is now carrying four lanes of traffic, two in each direction, while work continues on the new northbound bridge.
Once complete, motorists will travel across twin bridges with three lanes each way, improving travel times and freight efficiency across the Hunter.
Final works including asphalting, line marking, barriers and landscaping are now underway. The Hexham Straight upgrade remains on track for completion in 2026, delivering three lanes in each direction over six kilometres, from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass to north of Hexham Bridge.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King said:
“This is a big moment for the 50,000 motorists who use the Hexham Straight every day, as we open the new southbound bridge at Ironbark Creek.
“It will mean safer and more efficient commutes, with more improvements on the way as work continues on this important infrastructure project for the Hunter. 
NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:
“This is fantastic news for the Hunter. For too long, Hexham Straight has been a source of frustration for locals, freight operators and visitors alike.
“The Minns and Albanese Labor Governments are investing in the infrastructure that matters and projects that make daily life easier and keep our region connected.
NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:
“This is a game-changer for local motorists, freight operators and visitors alike.
“With three lanes now open southbound, Hunter drivers are already seeing the benefits of our investment in safer, more reliable roads.
“This is Labor delivery in action, working together across all levels of government to build a better NSW.”
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon said:
““This is a huge win for local motorists and freight operators who’ve been battling the Hexham bottleneck for years. Anyone who’s been stuck in traffic here knows how frustrating it can be so this progress will make a real difference to people’s daily lives.
“Newcastle is growing, and that means our infrastructure has to grow with us. Labor is investing in the roads, bridges and transport networks that will keep our community moving well into the future.”
Federal Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson said:
“Better roads mean safer communities, stronger freight links and more time back in people’s days.
“This is what Labor governments do: we listen, we deliver, and we build a better future for the regions.”
NSW Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp said:
“This project is about more than smoother commutes, it’s about jobs, safety and a better future for the Hunter.
“Thanks to the hard work of the Transport for NSW team and local contractors, we’re seeing real progress on the ground.”
NSW Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery said:
“For people travelling on the Hexham Straight, this upgrade is already making a difference.
“It’s about making everyday life easier, spending less time stuck in traffic and more valuable time at work, school and home.

The Albanese Government has delivered a key milestone in Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine program with the establishment of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator.

The new statutory Agency is responsible for the effective regulatory oversight of Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion capabilities, providing independent assurance that the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection are upheld.

The Albanese Government is pleased to announce Mr Michael Drake as the inaugural Director-General of the new regulatory Agency. 

Mr Drake brings to the role technical expertise and a decade of maritime regulation experience, including most recently as the Executive Director of Operations with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, and before that 15 years in the Royal Australian Navy where he served primarily in Australia’s Collins class submarines.

Commencing with over 70 trained staff, the new Agency has been working closely with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), the Commonwealth authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety, to ensure a smooth transition of regulatory oversight.

The new Agency is headquartered in Canberra and has a presence across the country as well as overseas. With personnel embedded in the United States and United Kingdom, the Agency’s workforce harnesses a broad range of skillsets to make independent and informed regulatory decisions.

Over the coming years, it will continue to expand its footprint in Western Australia and South Australia.

The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations 2025, relating to licensing facilities and materials for activities related to naval nuclear propulsion, have been made following extensive consultation, including formal public consultation in July 2025.

Subsequent regulations will focus on future phases of the optimal pathway including Australia’s acquisition and operation of Virginia class submarines and the construction and operation of Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines.

This new regulatory framework is underpinned by the highest international nuclear safety standards, drawing on more than 70 years of safe nuclear propulsion practices in the United States and United Kingdom, tailored to Australia’s operating environment. 

Relevant licences issued by ARPANSA, including in relation to the Controlled Industrial Facility at HMAS Stirling, will now transition to the new Regulator. 

ARPANSA will continue to provide scientific and technical support to the new Regulator, and the two Regulators will work together to support consistent nuclear and radiological safety across Australia’s military and civilian activities.

The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity within the Defence portfolio, and is established under the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Today marks another important step in the delivery of Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

“This new Agency will play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety and stewardship.

“I congratulate Mr Drake on his appointment as Director-General, and commend everyone involved for the work they have done to deliver a fit-for-purpose legislative and regulatory framework.”

Director-General, Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator, Mr Michael Drake:

“I am proud to be leading the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator and recognise its important role in delivering Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

“The agency brings expertise from across Australia and internationally, with a clear mandate to deliver independent, evidence-based regulation.

“We are committed to working with all Australian stakeholders and our AUKUS partners to uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection.”

From today, Labor’s new Aged Care Act comes into force, meaning older Australians will pay more for essential care, including up to $50 just for help with a shower, and some will have to forgo care altogether.

This week, Labor’s Minister for Aged Care, Sam Rae, celebrated rising aged care provider profits in an interview with the ABC. To celebrate rising profits for providers while introducing big new co-payments is a slap in the face to older Australians.

The Greens were the only party to vote against the financialisation of care when the bill moved through the Parliament last year, and have called on Labor to reconsider, reverse the care-for-profit system and instead focus on ensuring every Australian can get the care they need at the time that they need it.

Home care co-payments risk losing care

Under the new Support at Home program, new co-payments mean that older Australians will be forced to pay pay up to $50/hour for help with showers, meals, and basic care at home, based on Department of Health data.

While participants in the old program prior to last September were promised they would be no worse off, but in practice older Australians are facing increased prices and fees resulting in lower levels of service. There is no limit on the amount providers can charge for home care fees until 1 July 2026. Aged care economic advisor StewartBrown has advised providers to increase their fees by between 30 and 38 per cent.

Residential care costs increase while inequity rises

Under the new Act, half of all older Australians will pay more to enter residential aged care, including 3 in 10 full pensioners and 75% of part-pensioners. 

Labor have already raised a cap on residential aged care deposits from $550,000 to $750,000, which has driven up prices overnight. Providers can also now keep up to 10% of a residents so called ‘Refundable’ Accommodation Deposit

As Uniting NSW & ACT has warned, aged care residents who can afford this increased upfront deposit (usually from selling their family home) may be worth twice as much in revenue to an aged care facility as an older person who is living week to week, meaning older renters and poor people will find it harder to access care.

Waitlist continues to grow

In last Senate Estimates, it was revealed that as at the end of September, the waitlist for aged care only continues to grow. 

The total combined number of people waiting for care (either for an assessment, or for an aged care package) is up from approx 217,000 in June-July to 238,248 at the end of September. Just 63,000 new packages will be released between 1 November and the end of the financial year.

The only reason for a shortage in the availability of home care is that the government chooses to release fewer home care packages than the community needs each year. The Greens-led Senate inquiry, as well as the Royal Commission, recommended ended the ‘rationing’ of care and instead moving to a ‘demand driven’ system, but Labor have rejected this in favour of enforced shortages.

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Older People:

“Under Labor’s new Aged Care Act, the worse your health, the more you’ll pay for care.

“From today, a tsunami of co-payments will break on older Australians.”

“Minister Rae is celebrating increased profits for aged care providers, while under Labor’s plan 1 in 3 people on a full pension are paying more for residential care, and others will be charged up to $50 every time they need help with a shower. That’s shameful.”

“Our parents and grandparents deserve to be looked after in their old age, not forced to choose between a shower each day and a meal.”

“Aged care should not be for profit.” 

“While 1 in 3 big corporations pay no tax, but older Australians can’t get basic help they need, something is seriously wrong.”

“The Greens will fight to reverse care for profit, to end the shortage of care, and to make sure every older person in this country can get the help they need at the time they need it.”

The NACC has announced that Commissioner Brereton will no longer participate in consideration of Defence referrals. They did this in a statement on its website on the afternoon of Friday 31 October announcing that Commissioner Brereton “has decided that he will not participate in consideration of any referrals which involve the interests of any Defence or ADF individual or unit that is or comes before the Commission, regardless of whether it might reasonably be perceived to involve a conflict”. 

The NACC goes on to say “The Commissioner is taking this step, although it is unnecessary from the perspective of properly managing actual or apparent conflicts, solely in an endeavour to recentre the focus on our important operational and educational work.” 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Justice and Defence Spokesperson said:

“This is a ‘major-general’ backdown from Commissioner Brereton who, up until now, tried to stare down the growing public revolt over the conflicts of interest.

“In a show of contempt for transparency the NACC only disclosed this major development with a website post put up after 5pm on Friday night. There’s a name for this, it’s called, “putting out the trash.”

“This announcement leaves so many unanswered questions:

– Why is Commissioner Brereton still a Major-General in the ADF?

– What happens to all the defence referrals he has been working on, and making decisions on, until now?

– Why is Commissioner Brereton being paid over $800k a year not to work on defence referrals?

“Defence, which is embroiled in a series of multi-million dollar procurement scandals, is one of the largest customers for the NACC which had over 120 Defence referrals as at April this year. 

“It is not just that the NACC’s statement came late on a Friday night, so too did the Government’s tabling of the NACC Annual Report which was over two weeks late.

“Astoundingly, given the serial failures of the NACC Commissioner Brereton to deal with conflicts of interest in his own role, the NACC says conflicts of interest is one of its three main corruption prevention themes.

“Corruption complaints concerning conflicts of interest are also identified in the NACC annual report as major elements of its ongoing work.

“It remains untenable for Commission Brereton to stay as the NACC Commissioner given his repeated failure to deal with his own conflicts of interest.  

“This latest step only highlights the damage he has done to the NACC’s public standing.

“Anti-corruption agencies should be modelling best practice, not cynically making significant announcements late on Friday afternoons.

“The Albanese Government needs to act and, if Commissioner Brereton will not leave of his accord, bring the matter before the Parliament for a decision on his future,” Senator Shoebridge said.