Labor wraps Tasmanian federal election campaign with emphasis on Medicare

Labor’s Southern Tasmanian candidates finished their federal election campaign spruiking Medicare and portraying Peter Dutton as its foe.

Labor's Heidi Heck, Rebecca White and Julie Collins at Bridgewater on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Labor’s southern candidates finished their federal election campaign as they started it – standing in the carpark of an urgent care clinic at Bridgewater spruiking Medicare and portraying Peter Dutton as its mortal foe.

Lyon candidate Rebecca White is hoping to enter federal parliament at Saturday’s general election after a career in state politics.

She said the number one issue that had been raised with her on the campaign trail was health.

“We’re standing here in Bridgewater at a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic,” she said.

Lyons Labor candidate Rebecca White with Minister Julie Collins, member for Franklin, at AgFest 2025. Picture: Tasmanian Labor

“This is where we started the campaign in Tasmania, and it’s a deliberate decision to be back here today on the final day of the campaign, because health is the number one issue in our state,

“The number one issue that continues to be raised and people are absolutely committed to supporting a government that invests in Medicare.

“They’re worried about Peter Dutton’s cuts. They’re worried about access to Medicare being reduced, and they’re worried that access to Medicare urgent care clinics will require them to pay if Peter Dutton is elected.”

Member for Franklin Julie Collins is defending her grip on one of the safest Labor seats in the country against a determined and well-funded campaign from independent anti-aquaculture campaigner Peter George. Her Liberal opponent, Josh Garvan, has run a low profile campaign.

Ms Collins said that regardless of the long-term drift towards independents, major parties were where governments were formed.

Independent candidate for Franklin Peter George. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We’re always listening to the community of Tasmania, and every election is a time for a reflection, no matter the result,” she said.

“But it’s important that Tasmanians understand that there are only two people who are going to be Prime Minister at the end of tomorrow, and that’s Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton.

“If they want Anthony Albanese and Labor, they need to vote Labor.”

She said the Labor campaign had been more than just a defence of Medicare.

“Whether it be cost of living relief with additional tax cuts and our energy bill relief, our HECS debt being wiped, whether that be our investments in childcare and early education or our investments in public schools, right across the board, we’ve been talking about investing in Tasmanians and in Tasmania.”

Ms White said she was hopeful to be elected to represent the people of Lyons as their federal member.

“I made the decision to put my hand up for federal parliament because I want to be part of a Anthony Albanese government that’s delivering outcomes for our state,” she said.

“I’m really proud to be standing here as a Labor candidate.

“I think that Anthony has been an outstanding Prime Minister for our country and I’m hoping that I can join our Tassie team in Canberra to lend my experience and bring the work that I’ve done here in Tasmania to deliver outcomes for the community that I’m proudly part of.”