Today marks the 40th anniversary of Australia’s universal health insurance system — Medicare.

Since 1 February 1984, Medicare has been the world-class foundation of our modern health system.

Its architects were some of our nation’s distinguished leaders — notably the Hon Dr Neal Blewett AC, the late Professor John Deeble AO and the late the Hon Bill Hayden AC.

On the 40th anniversary, we acknowledge and remember their contribution to delivering a major social reform — a simple, fair and affordable insurance system, that helps all Australians.

ANDREW COHEN, CEO OF FORHEALTH: Good morning everybody. My name is Andrew Cohen, I'm the CEO of ForHealth and I am standing with an all-star cast. So starting from the left we've got Dr. Schafer who's the Chair of PHN North, we've got Dr. Bhalla who is the Clinical Lead for our Urgent Care Sites, we've got Libby, the CEO of PHN north, we've got the Health Minister, the Prime Minister, the Premier, and I believe that we've got Senator Chisholm and Minister Watt as well. So everyone is here.

MATT ACTON, HOST: Good morning, Prime Minister.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Thank you for that lovely intro.

ACTON: You're welcome.

ABBY COLEMAN, HOST: Nice of you to be up in Queensland. We've got a new Premier since you came up. I mean, you've always been, I guess, close to Steven Miles. You would have worked with him. But are you his boss or would you just say colleague?

PRIME MINISTER: No, colleague.

MARTO, HOST: (Booing)

DAN, HOST: Excuse me. Have some respect. The Prime Minister of the country's in. Albo good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, mate. He'd have more credibility if his socks matched.

DAN: Could you not have put some effort in? Albo's in a wonderful suit.

MARTO: I didn’t know he was coming in.

PRIME MINISTER: Have a good look at yourself, son.

KELLY HIGGINS-DEVINE, HOST: My guest this afternoon is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Welcome to what is usually sunny Queensland, but not this summer. It has been wet, wet, wet.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It's fantastic to be back here in Rocky today with the Premier of Queensland Steven Miles, with my Minister, Catherine King, with Minister Bart Mellish and with the local State Members Brittany Lauga and of course Barry O'Rourke as well. And it is a terrific day to be here and to witness the progress that is taking place on this vital project. When Kirsten Livermore was the Member, some time ago, we did the planning work on this project, it was something she was very passionate about.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It's been good for myself and the Premier to take the opportunity to be properly briefed on what is occurring in Queensland with these weather events. It's also an opportunity for us to thank those frontline workers who are doing such an extraordinary job, whether they be people from the SES who are engaged in rescues, whether it be people from fire and emergency services or police and, of course, the Australian Defence Force present here today as well.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Look it is fantastic to be back in Townsville, for my first visit for 2024. But certainly not my first visit to this wonderful city of Townsville, and here for this announcement, and it's also a bit of a relief that prior to this, we were able to meet the SES workers, the energy workers, the people who've been doing so much in working in partnership with the Council, with the Queensland Government, but also all those volunteers who are doing their bit to make a difference for the recovery from the cyclone.

• $1.73 billion commitment for full delivery of Rockhampton Ring Road
• Rockhampton Ring Road construction started in November 2023
• Includes critical connections to the local road network

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Steven Miles today celebrated construction progress on the $1.73 billion Rockhampton Ring Road - a project that is now fully funded by both levels of government.

The Albanese Government is investing up to $70 million to develop the Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub in north Queensland, creating regional jobs and supporting Australia’s future as a renewable energy powerhouse.  

The project delivers on the Government’s election commitment to establish a hydrogen hub in North Queensland.

It will create at least 200 direct job opportunities for local electricians, plumbers, fitters and concreters during construction, as well ongoing jobs in technical and engineering roles.