SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holds up his Medicare card during the Labor Party’s election night event on May 03, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured a second term as Australians backed his Labor government amid persistent cost-of-living pressures and global uncertainty. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)
UPDATE: The Labor government’s promise for free GP visits is struggling to materialize, with alarming reports confirming that only two out of 30 GP clinics in Joondalup are fully bulk-billing. Just weeks after the launch of a significant $8.5 billion investment in Medicare, many Western Australians are finding it increasingly difficult to access free health care.
Officials announced that the Labor Party aimed to triple the number of bulk-billing clinics, projecting that 90% of GP visits could be free by 2030. However, the latest figures reveal that the overwhelming majority of the 134 clinics in Western Australia already offered bulk billing before the new scheme was introduced.
In the Perth metropolitan area, the situation is dire. Only two clinics in Joondalup and the same number in Midland are participating in the bulk-billing scheme. In the bustling Perth CBD, the 360 Street Doctor clinic remains the only fully bulk-billing option among ten clinics, serving primarily those experiencing homelessness.
While the changes have only been in place for a mere fortnight, the lack of uptake raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the government’s incentives. Doctors have voiced concerns that the current system rewards quantity over quality, discouraging the care of patients requiring more complex needs.
Mount Lawley GP Simon Torvaldsen stated, “The new arrangement could worsen the problem. Those needing longer consultations are often the ones who most require free health care.” Torvaldsen’s comments highlight the human impact of these policy decisions, emphasizing the urgent need for accessible medical services.
In light of these developments, we invite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to experience firsthand the challenges faced by patients seeking free GP care during his visit to WA next week. As the government faces mounting scrutiny over its healthcare promises, the community is left grappling with the reality of limited access to essential medical services.
As this situation evolves, all eyes will be on the government’s next steps to address these critical gaps in healthcare access. Will the Labor Party adjust its approach to ensure patients receive the care they were promised? Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
