Overview

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $204 million investment to create a 24/7 Medicare telehealth hotline, 1800MEDICARE, as part of Labor's final campaign push.
• The service will provide free, bulk-billed GP consultations after hours via phone or video, staffed by registered nurses and doctors, starting January 1, 2026.
• Labor claims the initiative will prevent 250,000 unnecessary emergency department visits annually, alleviating pressure on public hospitals, particularly in underserved regions like Queensland and Tasmania.
• All consultations through the hotline will be integrated into patients' My Health Record, ensuring continuity and quality of care.
• The announcement highlights Labor's broader healthcare agenda, including expanded bulk-billing, urgent care clinics, and mental health funding, while increasing pressure on the Coalition to respond with comparable health policies.