TRANSCRIPT
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has travelled to Frankston in Victoria to campaign in the crucial Melbourne seat of Dunkley.
He also used the trip to announce a new breast cancer imaging service which has been named in honour of the late federal MP Peta Murphy.
Ms Murphy died in December following a long battle with the illness - triggering a by-election in her electorate.
Mr Albanese has paid tribute to the late MP.
"She was someone who was deeply loved in such a short period of time for the difference that she had made. Peta used to say that there's a solid rule that applies across so much of life. The more we know, the better we can help. And it certainly applies when it comes to cancer. The more we know, the better. Our understanding is and that is the key to better treatment and ultimately better outcomes for Australians with cancer."
As a by-election to replace her in the marginal seat of Dunkley draws closer, a breast cancer imaging suite at Frankston Hospital has been officially opened by the Prime Minister.
The federal government has announced a $1.5 million pledge to create a national registry to provide better insight into the prevalence of metastatic cancers that can spread in the body.
The $4.5 million suite, funded by the state government, is the first public diagnostic breast imaging service at Peninsula Health, providing local access to mammography, ultrasound and biopsy.
Kirsten Pilatti from Breast Cancer Australia has welcomed the announcement.
"It will ensure that not just those living with metastatic breast cancer can be counted, but all cancers. Those Australians living with treatable but incurable cancers will no longer be hidden in plain sight. Being counted not only provides them with a sense of commitment from our healthcare system, but it will ensure the government and the sector measure how effective our investment is into treatment and care."
The Prime Minister has also used his visit to the bay side electorate of Dunkley to sell his government's revised stage three tax cuts.
Soon to be introduced into parliament, the proposed tax cuts have already been fiercely debated with the Opposition calling for more details, and the Greens calling for better cost of living support.
But Mr Albanese says the change of policy is the right thing to do to help Australians.
"To give double the tax cut to every average worker on $73,000. To give more than double to the average family income on a joint income of $130,00. To make sure that every Australian gets a tax cut, not just some, that I think Australians understand in their guts that that's fair, that that's the right thing to do. You can't say as the Coalition do, there are cost of living pressures, and then refuse to do anything about it."
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has signalled that the Liberal party won't stand in the way of the proposed overhaul despite previously criticising it as a broken promise.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud says it's not good enough.
"These tax cuts won't hit for another five months, there's a cost of living crisis now, the government could of had measures that were targeted and temporary now. We'll work through this as a party room, that's the responsible thing to do. Not to waste taxpayer's money but to work through the legislation even when the government's able to present it to us."
The by-election contest between Labor candidate Jodie Belyea and the Coalition's candidate, Frankston Mayor Nathan Conroy will be held on March 2.
