Australian Political Ministry Network Ltd
Influencing public policy for the common good

Media Release
28 April 2003                                                                                       

Medicare reforms do not adequately address rural health crisis 

Responding to the Federal Government’s overhaul of the Medicare system announced today by the Prime Minister Mr John Howard and the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Senator Kay Patterson independent Catholic lobbyist, the Australian Political Ministry Network (PolMin), said the proposed reforms do not adequately address the policy issues causing the crisis in rural health services.

“The policy issues creating the current rural health crisis seem to be the perception that if you are a health care professional you will be professionally and socially disadvantaged. According to young doctors’ groups interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald on 21 April 2003 these disadvantages include: ‘heavy on-call patient burdens, isolation from hospitals and specialists, schooling for children, poor job prospects for spouses, lack of privacy, poor housing and inadequate financial incentives’.

“Australia is signatory to the United Nation’s Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development 1995 requiring Australia to Create an economic, political, social, cultural and legal environment that will enable people to achieve social development. This means all persons living in rural Australia have access to the same standard of health care enjoyed by those living in urban Australia. At present this is not the case. Federal Parliament is obligated to ensure policy mechanisms are in place that enables Australia to meet the requirements of the Copenhagen Declaration.

“The $6 consultation rebate for rural doctors, the 234 new places for medical students, and assistance for doctors to employs practice nurses announced today are a step in the right direction but they do not adequately address the real issues.

“A major policy review is required to investigate these issues. PolMin is lobbying the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Transport and Regional Services, and the Senate’s Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport to undertake this review”, Mr James McGillicuddy, PolMin’s Coordinator said today.

The Australian Political Ministry Network Ltd (PolMin) is a national independent membership organisation committed to bringing about systemic change in Australian society through the influencing of public policy for the common good in accordance with the principles of Catholic social teaching.

For further information contact: James McGillicuddy, Coordinator, Phone: (02)9890 2852, mobile: 0407 438 616, email: media@polmin.com.au

- received by CathNews 28/4/03