News

Health policy Newspoll shows it's time for all MPs to talk the talk and walk the walk

AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that Newspoll now has health and education as, by far, the most significant domestic policy concerns of Australian voters.

The poll, published in The Australian, shows that 83 per cent of Australians rank health (equal with education) as most important to them, well ahead of leadership and environment (65 per cent), family issues and unemployment (62 per cent), and taxation (56 per cent).

Dr Glasson said that when Parliament rises today for the long six-week winter recess, all Federal politicians should head back to their electorates well informed about health policy.

"Australian voters will be demanding answers from their elected representatives this winter," Dr Glasson said.

"Why aren't there enough doctors?

"Why am I paying more out-of-pocket for a visit to the doctor (when I can find one) and why is more and more of my household income going on looking after the health of my family?

"Why is my obstetrician having to pay $140,000 for medical insurance to deliver babies?

"Why did I have to wait four hours in emergency when my son broke his arm at footy?

"Why won't you fix Medicare?"

Dr Glasson said Australians are more informed about their health, the health of their families, and how the health system works then ever before, and they will want answers to these questions.

"With Medicare and the health system at breaking point and with towns and suburbs losing their doctors at an alarming rate, Australian voters will not be easily distracted by divisive issues at the next election," Dr Glasson said.

"They will put their health and the health of their families, friends and loved ones ahead of everything else.

"If the health policies are not good enough, they will vote for somebody else. This will be cold comfort for our politicians this winter recess," Dr Glasson said.

CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761

Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306

Media Contacts

Federal 

 02 6270 5478
 0427 209 753
 media@ama.com.au

Follow the AMA

 @ama_media
 @amapresident
‌ @AustralianMedicalAssociation