Labor to announce $204 million investment for 24/7 health advice and free online GP appointments


Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to announce a $204 million pledge to introduce around-the-clock healthcare.

Labor’s latest Medicare promise will include a 24/7 health advice line and access to after-hours doctors via telehealth for free under a rebranded 1800MEDICARE program.

Albanese is set to announce 1800MEDICARE – which would replace Healthdirect – at a Labor rally in western Sydney later today.

Anthony Albanese holds up a Medicare card. (Dominic Lorrimer)

The expanded telehealth offering will be available in every state and territory from January 1 next year if Labor is re-elected.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said earlier today the Healthdirect overhaul will take the pressure off Australia’s public hospital system.

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.

It is expected the PM will speak more on Labor’s Medicare pledge during his speech in western Sydney.

Both the PM and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will take part in a fourth and final leaders’ debate tonight.



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