REPRESENTING Swan Hill and the region as your federal Member for Mallee is frantic at the best of times but felt particularly so this sitting week in Canberra.
The Albanese Labor Government is running out time for major reform such as aged care, while rushing others – such as the misinformation and disinformation bill – allowing very little time for debate, a noticeably recurring theme.
I advocate for Mallee residents in the House of Representatives and in every meeting, and one example occurred in the debate this week on the new aged care funding arrangements.
I spoke about Rose who can’t use her home care funding package for cataract surgery. Rose asked me recently, what is the point of funding for home help if I lose my eyesight on a two-year waitlist?
It is a very fair point, and as Rose’s local member and as Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health I have written to the Minister for an explanation and spoken about her situation in the Chamber.
The Coalition recently secured $300 million in additional funding for regional aged care, building on the comprehensive work from the Regional Aged Care Summit I convened in Mildura in July 2023.
We need to reform care funding for people like Rose. Aged care funding should be reflected in outcomes, keeping Rose at home, which is what she wants.
There were two commemorations this week, October 7, Hamas terrorist attack, and October 14 marks one year since Labor’s failed and divisive Voice to Parliament referendum.
On both accounts this Government has left Australia more divided, not less, in its near two-and-a-half years in office.
As Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Migration I spoke on a Report we tabled this week recommending improvements to our migration system.
I brought the Public Inquiry to Robinvale as part of the inquiry, and this week I emphasised that migration must work for our regions, particularly for horticulture. I also spoke on childcare and the Misinformation Bills.
You can watch my speeches in the House on my website annewebster.com.au
