HASLUCK MHR Tania Lawrence says cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability and access to health care remain the most pressing concerns among residents, based on what she’s heard during conversations with voters.

In response to questions from Echo News, Ms Lawrence said conversations during door-knocking and local visits had reinforced findings from the Hasluck Social Justice Report by the Salvation Army.

The report noted high unemployment in parts of the electorate such as Midland and Guildford, alongside broader concerns around mental health, homelessness and household stress.

“I think we can all agree that mental health, homelessness and cost of living are important to our community,” Ms Lawrence said.

“Reports like this one are vital to improving our understanding of the state of the nation.

“Health issues are interconnected, so consistent and genuine action is needed.”

Ms Lawrence said she had seen the positive impact of the 87 bulk-billed Medicare urgent care clinics (UCC) already in place nationwide, including the one already in place in Midland, and supported the commitment to building 50 more if re-elected.

She also said $1 billion had also been committed to expanding access to free mental health care, and $443 million for 14 new social and affordable housing developments across the Perth metro area including four in Hasluck: Midland, Woodbridge, Ellenbrook and Bassendean.

“I’m proud to be part of a team that want to help young people and first-home buyers to achieve the dream of home ownership,” Ms Lawrence said.

Ms Lawrence said Labor had pledged to guarantee the mortgage insurance with a young person’s bank when they saved a 5 per cent deposit.

“This means smaller deposits to get into a home sooner, saving tens of thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance that young people don’t need to pay anymore,” she said.

Shoppers in Hasluck have also voiced concerns about high grocery prices to which the food and grocery code had been the government response to increase penalties for breaches according to Ms Lawrence.

But she also said residents of Hasluck had also given her insight into what they believe was done well including the Metronet trainline, swimming pool or community centre infrastrucure.

“I (also) consistently get great feedback on our bulk-billed Medicare UCC, because everyone has or knows someone who has used our clinics in Midland and Morley,” she said.

“They are keen on our commitment to secure an UCC for Ellenbrook and Mundaring as it takes the pressure off local hospitals.

“They’re also happy to see the improvements in the availability and affordability of childcare, by the fact public schools are now 100 per cent funded, TAFE is fee-free and Labor has reduced student HECS debt.”