AMA VICDOC_Spring 2026_09.09.2026 - Flipbook - Page 25
Health policy
does not wait for
November
Principal Policy Advisor Lewis Horton reflects on
the nature and purpose of an election statement
and shares insights into AMA Victoria’s statement,
ahead of November’s 2026 Victorian state election.
In April, we wrote that AMAVic’s election work never really stops.
Nearly five months later, as we put the ‘finishing’ touches on our
election statement, it’s apparent that health policy continues to
develop and evolve while documents are being finalised, and that
new issues do not care for publication schedules.
An election statement is
necessarily selective.
It brings priorities together, gives political
parties a clear set of asks and provides
members with a basis for judging their
responses. It is not a complete inventory
of AMA Victoria’s work.
Public hospital capacity and access.
A sustainable medical workforce. Viable
general practice and private specialist
care. Mental health. Regional and rural
healthcare. Prevention. Less administrative
burden and better-connected health
systems. These are not election year
inventions, they are enduring concerns
for any organisation representing doctors.
When the statement is published, members
The challenges and emphasis change;
will not be surprised by its broad themes.
the broad priorities do not.
25
