Euthanasia party: Nitschke’s tilt for Senate
EUTHANASIA advocate Dr Philip Nitschke plans to run for the Senate, adding another high profile name to what is shaping up as an increasingly unpredictable election come 14 September.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
election
The following articles have the tag election
Nitschke’s new party to contest election
EUTHANASIA campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke was last week a step closer to contesting the upcoming federal election, with his new Voluntary Euthanasia Party (VEP) appointing a national convenor.
Gillard dismisses super quarantine
PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has rejected a suggestion to “quarantine” part of people’s superannuation to fund skyrocketing healthcare costs after a think tank raised it in a report that also questioned whether Medicare was sustainable.
Euthanasia advocate to run for Senate
EUTHANASIA advocate Dr Philip Nitschke plans to run for the Senate, adding another high-profile name to what is shaping up as an increasingly unpredictable election come 14 September.
Libs send mixed messages on MLs
HEALTH Minister Tanya Plibersek has launched an attack on the Opposition after a Liberal candidate appeared to break from Coalition policy by praising Medicare Locals (MLs) and pledging to keep them if elected.
Plibersek accuses Opposition of plan to sack 3000 ML workers
THE rift between Health Minister Tanya Plibersek and shadow health minister Peter Dutton has intensified with Ms Plibersek accusing her opposite number of promising to sack 3000 frontline health workers connected to Medicare Locals (MLs).
Medicare Local boss contests federal election
A MEDICARE Local boss is running as a Labor candidate in one of the safest Coalition seats at the federal election, campaigning in part on the grounds that a Coalition victory could spell the end of the new primary healthcare network.
TGA reform delays slammed
INDEFINITE delays to several key elements of the blueprint for reform of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have been slammed by a prominent industry expert.
GPs rooting for suburbs in dire health straits
PRIME Minister Julia Gillard’s heavily publicised Western Sydney visit this week takes in an area struggling with GP shortages despite double average rates of key chronic illnesses, a report prepared exclusively for MO reveals.
Rural doctors pressure govt
RURAL doctors have promised to step up pressure on the federal government ahead of the election to challenge the widely disliked income support classification system.
Coalition softening on MLs
A COALITION health spokesman has conceded some Medicare Locals are linking hospitals with primary healthcare, indicating a softening from earlier rhetoric suggesting an Abbott government would shut the controversial reform down altogether.
2013 Predictions: Dr Arn Sprogis, Chair, Australian Medicare Local Alliance
“THE profound difference between what was and what will be in 2013 is the regionality of the provision of health care and the involvement of communities.
Health care at the top of voters’ lists
IN NEWS sure to be welcomed by clinicians and researchers alike, research has found Australian voters think improved hospitals and health care should be the federal government’s number one priority and that the Commonwealth – rather than the states – should pay for it.
Australians vote health care as number one priority
IN NEWS sure to be welcomed by clinicians and researchers alike, research has found Australian voters think improved hospitals and health care should be the federal government's number one priority and that the Commonwealth – rather than the states – should pay for it.
Glasson throws hat into federal ring
FORMER AMA president Dr Bill Glasson will contest the federal seat held by former prime minister Kevin Rudd after winning Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) preselection.
Glasson throws hat into the federal ring
FORMER AMA president Dr Bill Glasson will contest the federal seat held by former prime minister Kevin Rudd after winning Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) preselection.
Dr Liz Marles wins 2012 RACGP election after hard-fought campaign
SYDNEY GP and sitting RACGP vice president Dr Liz Marles will become the next head of the RACGP after winning the college’s 2012 presidential election.
Glasson eyes Rudd’s federal seat of Griffith
FORMER AMA president Dr Bill Glasson has confirmed he is to seek coalition pre-selection in Kevin Rudd’s Brisbane seat of Griffith for the next federal election.
Glasson eyes Rudd’s federal seat
FORMER AMA president Dr Bill Glasson has confirmed he is to seek Coalition pre-selection in Kevin Rudd’s Brisbane seat of Griffith for the next federal election.
Obama secures health care for all Americans
THE US Supreme Court has upheld the heart of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, handing him a huge election-year political victory and keeping in force the legislative centrepiece of his term, a law aimed at covering more than 30 million uninsured Americans.
Two-horse race looms for RACGP presidency
CAMPAIGNING has begun in earnest just days before polls open for the RACGP presidential election, with the stage looking set for a showdown between two senior college figures.
Hambleton to take AMA reins
AMA vice-president Dr Steve Hambleton is set to take the association’s top job at its federal conference at the end of the month as the only candidate for the presidency at the close of nominations this morning. Dr Hambleton will take the reins from outgoing president Dr Andrew Pesce, who wished him well for the next two years. “I think Steve will be an excellent president,” Dr Pesce said. “That continuity will be important in continuing the work the AMA has done to engage with government and the medical profession. “I think it is probably ...
Govt gave nod to super clinics without checking existing services
HEALTH Minister Nicola Roxon has admitted that no analysis of existing local primary healthcare providers was carried out by her department prior to the Government’s 2010 pre-election pledge to fund 28 new GP super clinic sites. Ms Roxon was forced to make the admission in Parliament yesterday following a question on notice from Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Healthcare Andrew Southcott. Dr Southcott had asked Ms Roxon for details of any analysis either she or her department had undertaken of existing providers in the communities nominated by the Government to receive super clinic funding in the lead-up ...
GP groups seize chance to lobby independents
GP groups plan to use the Gillard Government’s narrow grip on power to full advantage, and are now looking for opportunities to renegotiate unpopular health reforms. With a minority government held together with a coalition of three independents and one Greens MP, Labor’s second term is likely to be marked by compromises on controversial legislation, according to AMA vice-president Dr Steve Hambleton. The diabetes scheme, practice nurse incentive payments and 23 new GP super clinics will be the subject of renewed lobbying, he said. “The fact that it was so close means that the Government and Coalition ...
Health reforms survive as Independents back Labor
THERE is to be no reprieve from wide-ranging reforms for the health sector, with key Independents today handing the Australian Labor Party a second term in office. After more than two weeks of negotiation and deliberation, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor have joined with fellow Independent Andrew Wilkie and Green Adam Bandt in pledging their support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard form a minority government. Earlier in the day, Bob Katter announced he would back the Coalition, leaving the parties deadlocked at 74 seats apiece. However, Tony Windsor's announcement to back Labor gave them a 75-74 lead ...
Coffs Harbour GP overwhelmed by peer support
A NSW GP who feared his newly-built practice would be compromised by a promised $7 million GP super clinic says he has been inundated with offers from GPs wanting to join him after airing his story in Medical Observer. Dr Alex Joannou had recently questioned a pre-election Labor promise to establish a super clinic in Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast, given the ongoing difficulties encountered by existing practices in the area to attract GPs (MO, 27 August). However, following recent coverage of his situation in MO , he was contacted by five local ...
Independents’ power play sparks new hope for rural health
RURAL doctors have welcomed the knife-edge result of last weekend’s election as an opportunity to finally achieve better supports to boost health services in the bush. With three rural and regional-based independent MPs set to decide the outcome of a likely hung federal Parliament, RDAA president Dr Nola Maxfield said the situation provided a unique opportunity “for rural Australia to have a real voice in how health is provided in rural Australia”. “We hope that Kennedy MP Bob Katter, New England MP Tony Windsor and Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott will step up to the plate on rural ...
Election health promises hang in the balance
GPs appear no closer to knowing what direction health system reform will take with both major parties still courting the support of independents they will require to form government. Labor’s sweeping health reforms, including the future of 23 new GP super clinics and its controversial $436 million patient enrolment and pay-for-performance diabetes scheme, now hang in the balance. Similarly, the Coalition’s promises to scrap the super clinics initiative and increase rebates for long consultations, after-hours work and practice nurses also remain in doubt. RACGP president Dr Chris Mitchell said while it was difficult to know what ...
Super clinics setting up in crowded territory
GPs claim they have been left battered and frustrated by the controversial GP super clinics initiative, following Labor’s pre-election pledges to expand the program. NSW GP Dr Alex Joannou, from Coffs Harbour on the state’s north coast, has become the latest opponent of the scheme, following the announcement of a $7 million super clinic in his town despite the opening of his own ‘super clinic’ style practice set for October. His $2 million clinic will house nine GPs, along with three nurses, allied services, pathology collection and an after-hours service, but Dr Joannou said he feared a ...
Divisions to pilot patient-controlled e-records
THE Government has announced the first sites to be involved in the launch of its patient-controlled e-health record, with GP divisions across three states set to pilot a national rollout. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the three chosen GP divisions – GPpartners (Queensland), GP Access (NSW) and Melbourne East GP Network (Victoria) – were selected on the basis of their already strong e-health capabilities and community networks. However, despite announcing the $12.5 million investment in establishing the first sites, a spokesperson for Labor said no further detail was available regarding an implementation timetable for the records or ...
Labor promise: Medicare rebates for online consults
LABOR has promised to establish Medicare rebates for online consultations if returned to government this weekend, with an announcement today it will allocate $250.5 million over the next four years. The new funding would be shared “across a range of specialties”, according to a Labor statement, along with an additional $56.8 million in financial incentives that would be available to GPs and specialists who participated in delivering online services. The latest election promise, which Labor estimated would provide about 495,000 additional services to Australians in remote, rural and outer metropolitan areas, has been welcomed by GP groups. ...
AMA faces off with Government in new health reform rebellion
AMA Victoria has upped its pressure on the Government ahead of the coming election, encouraging GPs in marginal electorates to discuss potentially negative impacts of health reform with their patients. GPs in marginal Victorian electorates will this week receive brochures to display, distribute to and discuss with their patients. The campaign, Beware faceless medicine , warns patients their right to choose their GP may be hampered by government reforms such as the controversial diabetes scheme. “It is a neat administrative arrangement but it potentially denies patients the right to see the doctor of their choice,” ...
Primary’s election play: $1.5 million ad campaign, GP mailout
PRIMARY Health Care managing director Edmund Bateman has weighed into the election debate with a national advertising campaign and a direct appeal to GPs to think carefully about their vote on 21 August. Primary will next week launch a reported $1.5 million television and radio advertising campaign attacking Labor’s health record. The confronting campaign is expected to centre on the case of a mother dying of cervical cancer, in an attempt to highlight cuts to general practice. Dr Bateman is also behind a letter that was sent to GPs across the country ...
AMA enlists patient support to stand up for GPs
THE AMA has come out fighting on general practice issues, launching a campaign in the lead-up to the federal election amid concerns over the profession’s future under planned sweeping health reforms. As part of the campaign, Family Medicine is running out of time, the association has called on all parties to develop policies which “support and preserve” the vital role of GPs. And, in a rare move, it is now seeking to enlist the support of patients. A patient petition demanding that the Government cut red tape, ensure patients have the right to choose their ...
AMA mobilises patients to highlight value of family doctors
THE AMA is enlisting the help of patients in its efforts to put health front and centre of the political debate in the lead-up to the 21 August federal election. Posters and a petition are being distributed to practices across the country urging both Labor and the Coalition to “release policies that support and preserve the vital role of family doctors in local communities”. AMA president Dr Andrew Pesce said with an ageing population and rising chronic and complex health conditions, GPs remained under intense pressure. Dr Pesce also criticised the location of some of the ...
Preetham calls in lawyers over election rift
THE rift between the RACGP and its outgoing president Dr Vasantha Preetham is no closer to a resolution, with Dr Preetham enlisting lawyers to assist her in the dispute. Immediately after Dr Chris Mitchell’s election victory ( MO , 1 August ), Dr Preetham raised concerns about the electoral process, in particular office bearers using their positions to promote her opponent’s campaign. Dr Preetham had hoped these would be addressed in full at the recent council meeting, but she expressed disappointment that this was not the case. She will decide on a course of action after ...
Election loss sparks undue process claims
DR Chris Mitchell’s RACGP presidential election victory remains under a cloud following allegations from outgoing president Dr Vasantha Preetham that college resources and staff were inappropriately used to promote his campaign. After announcing his candidacy, Dr Mitchell published endorsements from college council chair Professor Peter Mudge, council secretary Dr Di O’Halloran, and membership committee chair Dr Jane Smith on his website. While expanding on her previous concerns over college electoral processes ( MO , 25 July ), Dr Preetham (pictured) questioned the role played by RACGP office bearers. “It was my view that some college ...