Major parties targeting crucial Brisbane seats held by the Greens

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Greens had a historic result at the last federal election, picking up three inner city seats in Queensland. While the minor party hopes to make further electoral gains, it's seats are being targeted by Labor and the Coalition.

Transcript

00:00A community barbecue on Brisbane's north side is in full swing.

00:09Quesadillas are on the menu and anyone's welcome to grab a plate.

00:14Jareth Armstrong has his hands full with two young daughters.

00:18Most places bulk bill within certain hours, which is also a bit of an issue because I

00:24had a rude awakening on like a Saturday with the other one where it's like a hundred bucks.

00:28Every dollar counts and visiting the doctor adds up.

00:32I tend to not go for myself at all just because I don't really have much disposable income

00:41to like throw around.

00:42According to analysis by online health directory CleanBill, there are no bulk billing GPs for

00:49new adult patients in the federal seat of Brisbane.

00:53The electorate spans from the trendy inner city on the northern side of the Brisbane

00:58River to the suburbs of Windsor, Clayfield and Newmarket.

01:02Yeah, I care about the child care subsidy, health care.

01:07Health care is the most expensive.

01:10Queensland's peak body representing GPs acknowledges it's a problem.

01:15Whilst all GPs would love to bulk bill all their patients, we also need to ensure that

01:20we keep our practices open.

01:22Incumbent Stephen Bates is vying for a second term after picking up the seat for the Greens

01:28in a surprise victory in 2022.

01:31So what we want to do as the Greens is triple the Medicare bulk billing incentive for everyone

01:35with a Medicare card.

01:36But the Greens' key policy has been somewhat pipped at the post.

01:41With Labor and the Coalition already pledging $8.5 billion on boosting bulk billing rates.

01:49Hey mate, how are ya?

01:50The LNP's Trevor Evans lost the seat last time, but is hoping to make a comeback.

01:57It's a seat that I don't think you can ever say is in the bag for any candidate or any party.

02:02Labor's Madonna Jarrett also ran in 2022.

02:06People are talking to me about the challenges associated with cost of living, health and housing.

02:11In a historic swing to the Greens, the party picked up three inner Brisbane electorates

02:16at the last federal election.

02:19This time round, all three are expected to be narrow three-way contests, coming down

02:25to how preferences fall.

02:27In the absence of teals running last time in Queensland, that anti-two party preferred

02:34vote, or that anti-major party vote is a better way of putting it, went to the Greens.

02:40The battle for Brisbane shaping up to be a tight race.

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