General News
29 January, 2026
PM backs urgent care clinics
THE Prime Minister has used a visit to Cairns to highlight the role Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are playing in easing pressure on hospitals while also addressing cost-of-living concerns.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Cairns South Urgent Care Clinic alongside the Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith and Senator Nita Green, describing the clinics as a key part of Labor’s health reforms.
Mr Smith said the clinic had already proven its value to the community, sharing a personal experience to underline its impact.
“I was here personally on the weekend, I got bitten by a spider,” Mr Smith said.
“I got in, got out, within an hour, antibiotics advice. I spent more time driving than I did waiting to see a doctor.”
Mr Smith said the success of the Cairns South clinic showed why a second Urgent Care Clinic was needed in the region, with an announcement expected soon.
The Prime Minister said Medicare Urgent Care Clinics had been “an enormous success”, with 22 already opened in Queensland as part of a national commitment to 137 clinics.
Cairns Local News asked the Prime Minister whether more clinics would be opening in regional cities like Cairns.
“One will open in northern Cairns. Very soon we'll announce the tender process that goes through in coming weeks, and that will be a realisation of the commitment that Matt Smith made here in the southern region. If you have those two, it will mean that Cairns is fully serviced, further taking pressure off the local hospital network,” Mr Albanese said.
He said the Cairns South clinic sees, on average, more than 60 patients a day, with numbers exceeding 80 during peak periods such as Christmas and New Year, when many GP clinics are closed.
“The fact that this facility is open 365 days a year makes such an enormous difference,” he said.
Mr Albanese said the clinics were taking pressure off emergency departments and hospitals, while also helping families manage cost-of-living pressures.
“All they’ve needed is this little piece of green and gold plastic, their Medicare card,” he said.
“This card says a lot about our nation.”
The Prime Minister said his government remained focused on the cost of living, pointing to cheaper medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), increased bulk billing, childcare measures and home deposit schemes.
“We understand that that is the number one priority that we have had since I came to office in 2022,” he said.
Mr Albanese confirmed he would meet with premiers and chief ministers at National Cabinet to discuss future health and hospital agreements and reforms to the NDIS.
He said the discussions were aimed at ensuring the sustainability of health and disability systems while continuing to support Australians who rely on them.
