I welcome my updated responsibilities, with a continued strong focus on Regional Communications alongside an expanded role in Regional Health.

Regional communities deserve equitable access to high-quality healthcare and the infrastructure needed to stay connected both physically and digitally. These priorities go hand in hand. Reliable communications not only support better health outcomes but also strengthen local economies and help communities thrive.

In my role, I will continue to advocate for:

Improved access to healthcare services across regional, rural, and remote Australia

A stronger regional health workforce, including incentives to attract and retain professionals

Investment in digital connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure to ensure reliability and accessibility for all regional Australians

Policies that recognise the unique challenges faced by regional Australians

Regional Australians should not be disadvantaged because of where they live. My focus remains on ensuring that the voices of regional communities are heard at the national level and that practical, lasting improvements are delivered.

I look forward to working collaboratively with stakeholders, service providers, and community leaders to strengthen both regional health outcomes and communication networks across the country.