
About this episode
With cost of living dominating the 2025 election, it was only a matter of time before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a major move. Over the weekend, he announced an $8.5 billion Medicare investment, aiming to make 90% of GP visits free by the end of the decade.
But just hours later, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton matched the pledge dollar for dollar—escalating the battle over who’s to blame for Australia’s bulk-billing crisis.
So, will this massive cash injection actually make it easier to see a doctor for free? And how much of this is just election politics? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with James Gillespie, CEO of Cleanbill, to break down what this promise really means for everyday Australians.
Follow The Briefing:
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Briefing publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Briefing

BONUS: How to make friends with a magpie this swooping season
The Briefing

Our Take: HBO's Harry Potter, a kidney donation & Chris loses to English (again)
The Briefing

SPECIAL: The long shadow of 9/11 twenty-five years on
The Briefing

Is Trump buying votes? + Insta warns killing the algo will 'overwhelm' you
The Briefing