Shadow Minister for Regional Health, Shadow Minister for Regional Communications - Member for Mallee - Transcript - Sky News - Sunday 10 May 2026

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‍DR ANNE WEBSTER MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL HEALTH

SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MALLEE

TOPICS: Farrer by-election result, regional health, federal budget

SEAL

Well, political history was made last night, the first time there was no major party as the two top contenders. Well, joining us live is Shadow Regional Health Minister, Dr Anne Webster, and great to see you. So, during Senator Pauline Hanson's speech last night, she said to the people of Farrer,, you will not be forgotten any more, and One Nation will fight for Farrer in Parliament. Senator Jane Hume has been saying that people have lost the trust of the Coalition. What do you think the situation is, and why do you think there was such a huge swing away from the Coalition?

WEBSTER

Well, I think first up, we need to acknowledge that Labor cowardly did not even show up. They were 15 per cent last year in the election. They didn't want to be shown up to be even less now,  I think the anger is palpable across all regional communities. Farrer is not alone, and you know, the rise against the establishment. But the fact is that the way that regional communities are being treated by Labor over the last four years, and let's not ever forget the awful COVID years, it was just very, very difficult, but Labor have absolutely spurned our regional areas. I mean, I know in my own electorate that we have been reduced to effectively nothing in terms of infrastructure spend, in terms of attention.

One of the things I noticed at the Farrer booth in Wentworth yesterday - far west New South Wales - is that there were so many people on walking sticks who could hardly walk and with their frames or whichever way they were going, so many people with chronic health issues that cannot be met out in our regions because we are starved of funding. And that was one of the major issues in Albury at the Farrer election, and why we stood with the people of Farrer

SEAL

Anne, I reached out to a medical professional who works in the city and also regional areas, and I asked this person what they thought, and they said that both major parties are now on notice at dissatisfaction over rural hospitals, specialist access, ambulance delays, GP shortage, cancer services and maternity closures can translate into major electoral swings. Are both parties on notice here? Because, yes, you mentioned Labor not being there. But if you look at the swing against the Coalition and the lack of trust, the reshuffling, what does the Coalition need to do to build that trust?

WEBSTER

Look, I think the Coalition is already at a federal level, we are already working on the policies to shift the dial for regional areas. Obviously, it's my portfolio. I'm incredibly passionate about improving health care out in our regions, and primary health care is the remit of the federal government. I don't think Mark Butler knows where Wentworth is - just saying. I don't even think that he knows where Narrandera is. So, the primary health settings out in the regions are leaving people sicker for longer, and they're dying earlier. This has been a trend for a long period of time. I am absolutely committed to working on policies that will see a shift there, because if people are being cared for, if they can get a GP appointment, if they can see a pharmacist and deal with chronic medication, if they can see a nurse practitioner out in the regions who is remunerated properly, then it will stop people having to go to a tertiary hospital in the cities. I mean, Mildura is six hours from Melbourne, and we have a hospital that is absolutely not funded in the way that it should be. We need a new hospital here, just like Albury does.

SEAL

We've got the budget this Tuesday. A lot of hypotheticals being thrown around, but the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers said the big focus is going to be on housing. What would you like to see and hear from the government on Tuesday night for the budget?

WEBSTER

I would like to see that Jim Chalmers is actually honest with the Australian people about the effectively subsidising foreign investment in housing. The build to rent program is designed for major corporates to come in and buy up land and build these entities with 50 units in them. The issue that we have is that mum and dad investors, which they want to see stop get negative gearing. From what we can see, capital gains tax changes will also make a difference. So, the point is that mum and dad investors, who are not the problem here, don't get the tax breaks. And I'll guarantee Jim Chalmers doesn't address it, whereas he is very happy to ensure that foreign investment is put into the build to rent programme. It's a failure in the UK. It's making it much harder for people to actually afford a home, because it's not allowing young people to save up, because prices just continue to rise. It's one thing that Labor are very good at seeing prices rise.

SEAL

Dr Anne Webster, thank you as always, great to see you.

WEBSTER

Thanks, Jaynie

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