AMA's Constitution
The AMA’s Constitution outlines how the AMA is structured and governed and its main activities. It also explains the roles, responsibilities and powers of the Board, directors, Federal Council, management, and members.
At the AMA’s Annual General Meeting on 29 May 2025 members voted on changes to the Constitution. In total four resolutions to change the Constitution were passed with an overwhelming majority. Read a copy of the updated Constitution
Read a message from AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen about the changes
AMA Federal Council
The AMA Federal Council meets quarterly and is the AMA’s main policy-making body. It is a forum to identify and debate emerging issues of relevance to the membership.
Learn more about AMA’s advocacy
The Federal Council’s primary role is to:
- form the policy of the AMA
- propose changes to existing policy; and
- elect representatives to roles and committees.
Meet the AMA's Federal Councillors
Dr Danielle McMullen is the President of AMA and a GP in Brisbane. She has been involved with AMA at state and federal levels since 2011, including as President of AMA(NSW). She is recognised leader in health systems and reform, is a board member of the Australian Digital Health Agency and was previously a member of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce. Danielle has a strong interest in good governance processes and building member engagement with the AMA. She is determined to see a sustainable future for Australia's healthcare system - both public and private, rewarding careers for doctors, and quality care for patients.
Associate Professor Julian Rait is a specialist Ophthalmologist and a past President of the Victorian branch of the Australian Medical Association (Vic) for three years including the Covid-19 pandemic. He has previously Chaired the AMA Federal Council between 2020 and 2022 and led the Council of Private Specialist Practice for the Federal AMA between 2016 and 2022. Julian has also held several leadership positions within the medical indemnity insurance industry including serving on the Board of the Avant Foundation and the Avant National Advocacy Stakeholder Committee while previously serving as a Board member and the Chairman of the MDA National Group from 2008 to 2014.
He has been a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors since 2008 and is currently the Deputy Chair of Vision Australia. On Australia Day 2018 Julian was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to Ophthalmology and to the development of overseas aid.
Building on 30 years of experience in medical organisations, Julian believes that he can provide the leadership with Dr Danielle McMullen to ensure sound process and management efficiency within the AMA along with strong and effective advocacy for the profession.
In particular, Julian and Danielle wish to address the chronic underfunding of GP services, the sustainability of private hospitals and evolving workforce shortages. We also need greater advocacy directed toward mental health care, public hospital funding, the increasing stress on trainees, and improved regulation of the private health insurance industry. We will encourage greater support for rural and indigenous medicine along with more preventative public health strategies and doctor well-being initiatives.
Please see our policy website:
Tasmania By Laws
Following extensive consultation with our members in Tasmania and nationally, AMA Tasmania members voted in support of future proofing and agreed to close AMA Tasmania and transfer its assets to the Australian Medical Association on 31 May 2024.
Starting 1 June 2024, Tasmania commenced operating as a branch of the Australian Medical Association.
These new by-laws officially reflect those changes and establish it as a branch of the Association from that date.
AMA state and territory organisations
The AMA is a federation and doctors in local states and territories play a key role in creating our policies.
State and territory AMA's are dedicated to providing members with representation on a variety of medical issues, professional services and commercial benefits.