AMA VICDOC_Spring 2026_09.09.2026 - Flipbook - Page 27
General practice and private specialist
burden, and properly remunerating doctors
care remain central. Victoria cannot repair
for the work. None will transform the
Medicare, but it can decide whether its own
health system. All would make something
taxes, referral arrangements, information
work better.
systems and models of care support
medical practice or simply transfer further
cost and work onto it.
The advocacy behind the asks is less tidy
than the finished document. It involves
conversations, relationships, persistence
Recent reports of postcode restrictions
and bringing others alongside where
on public hospital specialist clinic referrals
possible. Sometimes an issue is worked
are another example of an issue arriving
through privately and in good faith;
while the statement was being refined.
sometimes it requires a public letter or
We have asked the Government to review
firmer language. Usually, it requires more
the approach, including its effect on patients
than one attempt. That activity will continue
and the work returned to GPs.
to increase as November approaches.
The work extends beyond the most obvious
workforce and hospital issues. We met
with VicHealth twice about its future and
independence, as well as opportunities to
work together on preventive health, and
with Women’s Health Victoria about women’s
experiences as patients, and as workers
in medicine.
AMAVic’s health debate,
organised with RACGP
Victoria, is scheduled for
31 October.
The Coalition and Greens have confirmed
their participation, One Nation has been
The asks vary
considerably in scale.
Some will inevitably be large: greater
hospital capacity, a sustainable medical
workforce, a properly connected statewide
digital health system, and a full payroll tax
exemption for GP and specialist services in
private practice, not only those that are bulk
billed. Others can be much more modest.
Trialling dedicated time for students to
reapply sunscreen during the school day
is one. Another is simplifying Medical
Certificate Cause of Death requirements,
approached, and at the time of writing
we continue to await the Government’s
response.
AMA Victoria remains non-partisan.
The election statement will set out our
priorities, and the debate will give us an
opportunity to put them publicly to the
parties. Their answers, and any absences,
will speak for themselves.
Finalising the statement does not mean the
advocacy has reached an endpoint. It simply
means we’ve reached the version with a
publication date.
reducing the associated administrative
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