Mrs PHILLIPS (Gilmore) (16:02): I'm so proud to be representing my community in federal parliament for this third term, and I'm extremely proud of what the Albanese Labor government has delivered for my electorate of Gilmore since coming to government.
On the south coast of New South Wales we've had some really tough times, with bushfires, floods and the COVID lockdowns, but I've always stood by my community to ensure that people receive the support needed to recover and to be more prepared for future disasters.
Born and bred on a dairy farm near Nowra, I understand the needs of regional, rural and coastal communities, from Kiama to Moruya.
I'm always out and about talking with people across my diverse electorate, so I get it. I understand that people are doing it tough.
That's why I'm so pleased that this government is taking unprecedented steps to help ease cost-of-living pressures—more than 64,000 taxpayers in Gilmore receiving another tax cut.
Almost 14,000 people in Gilmore will have their student debt slashed by 20 per cent. I'm really proud to have delivered the Batemans Bay Medicare urgent-care clinic, which has already seen around 17,000 patients.
Affordable, accessible health care is top of mind for people in Gilmore, which is why I fought so hard for a second Medicare urgent-care clinic in Nowra that will take pressure off the busy Shoalhaven Hospital emergency department. And it's the reason we're extending the opening hours at the Batemans Bay urgent-care clinic from 6 am to midnight.
The Albanese Labor government is investing in health, education and housing and creating more regional jobs through the Future Made in Australia plan.
This is really great for young people and families in Gilmore because we're making it easier to buy or rent a home; training more tradies with free TAFE; and investing in every stage of education, including putting all public schools in New South Wales on a path to full and fair funding.
As a mum of four young adults, all of whom attended local public schools, I know how important it is to get a good education right from the start, which is why we're supporting our young people from early child care right through to university.
We're injecting $529 million to establish new childcare services and increase the capacity of existing services in regional areas—and I'm already starting to see new services popping up across my electorate. Importantly, families on the South Coast will have greater access to early childhood education and care with the introduction of the three-day guarantee from January 2026. Commonwealth prac payments for nurses, teachers and social workers mean students in my electorate will have more money in their pockets while they learn.
I am immensely proud of the road projects that are progressing in Gilmore, including the Jervis Bay flyover, the Milton Ulladulla bypass, the Nowra bypass and the duplication of the Princes Highway from Jervis Bay Road to Hawken Road. I've delivered more than $1 billion in federal funding for Shoalhaven roads, which will improve safety and livability for local residents.
I have worked with communities to deliver really important services such as headspace Kiama; the magnificent Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club; the Malua Bay Beach reserve; and Jindelara Cottage, which provides disability accommodation at Ulladulla.
I've secured funds for the nation's first birthing-on-country facility at Nowra, delivered the spectacular new Mogo Local Aboriginal Land Council building and provided grants for local Indigenous rangers and our many wonderful Waminda women's programs.
Living on the coast, of course I really love the outdoors, and I'm thrilled to have delivered funds to complete the Mogo mountain bike trails, the Huskisson mangrove boardwalk and the Observation Point upgrade at Batemans Bay. And I've worked really hard for many years to secure a federal grant for the Shoalhaven riverfront precinct—which was announced when the Prime Minister visited Nowra in February.
Ongoing support from this government means we have new fire stations at Lake Conjola and Manyana, and work is under way on the Eurobodalla regional co-located emergency services precinct.
Federal funds continue to flow to defence facilities at HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell, and to the defence industry, including a $313 million contract with Sikorsky Australia to maintain the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fleet.
After years of neglect, I'm proud to say the Albanese Labor government is helping local families, building local communities and supporting local jobs in Gilmore.
