Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $204 million pledge to introduce around-the-clock healthcare.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Sydney with under a week to go before Australians hit the polls on May 3, the PM delivered his latest Medicare investment.
Labor’s Medicare promise will include a 24/7 health advice line and access to after-hours doctors via telehealth for free under a rebranded 1800-MEDICARE program.
Albanese once again held up a Medicare card as he announced 1800-MEDICARE, a service which would replace the existing government-funded Healthdirect.
“You will be able to call any time to get expert health advice from a registered nurse,” Albanese said.
“If it is something that can’t wait for your regular GP, you will be connected to a free GP telehealth consultation.
“Life isn’t 9-5, we all know that.”
The expanded telehealth offering will be available in every state and territory from January 1, 2026 if Labor is re-elected.
The PM said this investment aims to take the pressure off Australia’s public hospital system.
“This will take further pressure off people, importantly as well, it will take further pressure off public hospitals, just like the Medicare urgent care clinics have,” he said.
”The PBS is not for sale,” the PM said.
“Let me be really clear to anyone who is listening or watching or hearing about this in Australia or anywhere else in the world – it is not and never will be on the bargaining table under Labor.”
The federal government has already promised a raft of changes to Medicare, including the opening of more urgent care clinics and making most doctor visits free.
Both the PM and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will take part in a fourth and final leaders’ debate tonight.
