You might have seen some Labor red, Medicare green and big smiles out on your streets over the last few weekends.  That's because Team Katy has been out celebrating Medicare's 40th birthday the best way we know how - chatting to Canberrans about Labor's historic investments in healthcare!

Labor went to the election promising to strengthen Medicare and one of my priorities as Senator for the ACT is to make sure that Canberrans get the medical care they need, when they need it.

That's why I'm so pleased to let you know that we're delivering on that promise and saving Canberrans millions on cheaper medicines and free, bulk billed visits to the GP.

We've made the biggest ever investment in Medicare, and Canberrans are seeing the difference our commitment to strengthening Medicare is having on their lives.

Canberrans have saved $6.2million on 500,000 cheaper scripts thanks to Labor's Cheaper Medicines policy.

Over thirty-seven thousand 60-day scripts have been issued in Canberra, saving patients time and money, and avoiding unnecessary trips to the GP.

Bulk billing in Canberra has increased by 1.9 percentage points in just two months, saving our community $120,000 on 3,000 additional bulk billed trips to the GP.

And our five Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are all up and running, giving Canberrans free out-of-hours health care, and taking pressure off our emergency departments.

A stronger Medicare means that Canberrans can access better quality healthcare when they need it, whilst also keeping more money in their back pocket.

Only a Labor government can be trusted to protect Medicare.

January 2024 - Delivering Stage 3 Tax Cuts to all taxpayers

I’m really pleased to be able to kick off my first newsletter of the year by telling you about Labor’s tax cuts.

I’ve been listening to Canberrans who have been telling me about the cost of living pressures they’re facing. That’s why it’s great to share with you that in addition to our previously announced $23 billion in cost of living relief, we've found a better way to deliver tax cuts to more of you.

Delivering Stage 3 Tax Cuts to all taxpayers

From 1 July this year, the Albanese Labor Government will deliver a tax cut for every Australian taxpayer.

No matter who you are, or what you earn – whether you’re a teacher, a truckie, a nurse or a tradie – we’ll make sure you pay less tax.

We know family budgets are under pressure right now.

We want you to be able to earn more – and keep more of what you earn.

Taking the pressure off you and your family is our number one priority.

That’s why we’re delivering tax cuts to benefit every Australian taxpayer, and we’re doing it in a way that is fair and responsible.

These tax cuts are also good for women — with all women workers getting a tax cut and 90% of them getting a bigger tax cuts.

It’s just another way we’re helping to deliver real cost of living relief to families in our community, and in every community across the country.

To check out how much the our bigger tax plan will benefit you, clickhere. (http://www.treasury.gov.au/tax-cuts/calculator)

Save the date for the Great Debate!

Join me and six of my Federal Labor colleagues for a night of robust debate and laughs as we debate the topic: that we should abolish the Senate.

Speakers will be announced in the lead up to the event. This will surely be a night to remember!

The Great Debate will be held on the 28th of February at Manning Clark Centre, at Kambri, ANU.

Come at 7:30pm for a drink (included in your ticket) and be ready for 8pm start where the real fun will begin.

Upcoming events for your diary

The National Multicultural Festival will take place in Canberra from 16 to 18 February. This iconic celebration brings together over 170 communities, which is credit to the multicultural melting pot of a territory we are so fortunate to live in. Team Katy will be there, so come and say hi in between the rich celebrations of food, culture, history and music taking place around you.

Lunar New Year will take place on February 10, marking a time for families around the world to come together to come together to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. I wish all those Canberrans celebrating prosperity, good health and peace.

I hope everyone has had a restful and rejuvenating beginning to 2024 and are looking forward to an exciting year!