Australian Medical Association

15/04/2026

Australia has one of the world’s best healthcare systems — so why does it feel like it’s failing so many patients?

In her National Press Club address in Canberra today, AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen spoke to the paradox at the heart of Australian healthcare: an excellent healthcare system, yet the growing strain felt every day by patients and the doctors caring for them.

Our system has good bones. But the cracks are no longer cosmetic — they’re structural, and papering over them with quick fixes won’t hold.

Opening new “front doors” that aren’t connected doesn’t strengthen the system; it fragments care. Real reform must be evidence‑based, focused on continuity, and built around general practice as the hub of coordinated care.

If we want a health system that works for patients — now and into the future — we must fix the foundations, not just repaint the walls.

Read our 2026-27 Pre-Budget Submission, which Dr McMullen launched today at the Press Club. 👉🔗https://www.ama.com.au/articles/ama-pre-budget-submission-2026-2027

15/04/2026

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen gearing up for the National Press Club address in Canberra today. Dr McMullen will talk about the cumulative impact of the stresses facing Australia's healthcare system and the need for evidence-based reform. Dr McMullen will warn against the introduction of ill-thought through policies that open multiple front doors to the system and put patients at risk.

Dr McMullen will also launch the AMA's 2026-27 Pre-Budget Submission.

Read the budget submission 👉🔗https://www.ama.com.au/articles/ama-pre-budget-submission-2026-2027

14/04/2026

📢 We are delighted to announce that Prof Zoe Wainer, inaugural Director General of the Australian Centre for Disease Control will speak at our national conference in Melbourne this August.

Prof Wainer is responsible for establishing and leading Australia’s national public health agency and strengthening the country’s preparedness for future health threats. The Centre for Disease Control provides independent, evidence-based advice on disease prevention, surveillance and response to safeguard the health of Australians.

A medical doctor with a background in cardiothoracic surgery and a PhD from the University of Melbourne, Professor Wainer has expertise in public health, value-based healthcare and women’s health. She has worked internationally in global health, including public health initiatives in Timor-Leste and surgical programs in Fiji and Tonga.

Don't miss out register now: https://tinyurl.com/585cuwky

10/04/2026

The best part of AMA26? Networking with colleagues who share your passion for the profession.

Don't miss out. Early bird offer for members ends 30 April


⏰👉🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍➡️🏃‍♂️‍➡️https://tinyurl.com/585cuwky

07/04/2026

The Australian Medical Association recognises the inextricable link between human, animal, and environmental health — a connection at the heart of the One Health approach.

On this World Health Day, we’re backing evidence, facts, and science‑led policy to protect the wellbeing of people, animals, and the planet.

Stand with science. Choose evidence. Support One Health.

🔗 Read the AMA’s One Health Position Statement: https://www.ama.com.au/articles/one-health-position-statement

07/04/2026

Why attend an AMA national conference? Networking tops the list.

AMA26 will bring together doctors from every stage and specialty — creating space for meaningful connections, collaboration, and shared insight into the future of medicine.

The sessions matter, but it’s the conversations in between that make AMA26 truly valuable.

Join the profession at AMA26 and don't miss out on our early bird discount for members! 👉 https://tinyurl.com/585cuwky

07/04/2026

'If we want this to work, we’ve got to get it right.'

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen spoke with ABC Canberra about proposed changes to the Medical Costs Finder website and why more consultation is needed to ensure it genuinely supports patients and does not simply replicate the mistakes that have plagued the existing website.

🔗 Read our media release: https://www.ama.com.au/media/more-consultation-needed-costs-website-avoid-repeating-mistakes

02/04/2026

The federal government’s new gambling advertising reforms fail to provide the comprehensive protections needed to reduce online gambling-related harm, particularly among children and young people.

Australians lose more to gambling than any other country in the world. Gambling addiction is a serious health issue linked to mental illness, substance abuse, family breakdown and severe financial distress.

The AMA will continue to call for all the reforms recommended by the review led by Peta Murphy, including a national independent gambling regulator and a pathway to a total ban on online gambling advertising.

The federal government’s new gambling advertising reforms fail to provide the comprehensive protections needed to reduce online gambling-related harm, particularly among children and young people.

31/03/2026

Be in a room that influences.

Leadership, policy, politics.

Our national conference is where decisions are shaped.

⏰ Don't miss out on our early bird offer for members 👉 ends 30 April👉 https://tinyurl.com/585cuwky

30/03/2026

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen addressed health leaders at the AFR Healthcare Summit today, highlighting while there have been some investments in general practice bulk billing, there is still more to be done across the health system to make healthcare affordable and sustainable.

With premiums rising and household budgets already under pressure, Dr McMullen urged the sector to work together on practical, long‑overdue reforms that improve affordability and strengthen the sustainability of Australia’s health system.

“Patients are being squeezed from every direction, and the system simply isn’t keeping up,” Dr McMullen said. “Under private health insurance, for example, the sheer complexity of our differing insurance rebates makes it really difficult for doctors and patients alike.”

The AMA’s new resource, The gaps that create gaps, exposes the policy failures driving up out‑of‑pocket costs — and the straightforward changes that could make a real difference for patients.

Read more in our latest media release: ama.com.au/media/private-health-reform-gap-leaves-patients-paying-price

30/03/2026

Private health premiums are rising again — and patients are paying the price.

Outdated policy settings and inconsistent rebates are driving up out‑of‑pocket costs, leaving Australians squeezed at a time they can least afford it.

Today we’re launching The gaps that create gaps, a new resource exposing the structural issues pushing costs higher and outlining practical reforms to restore balance and improve affordability.

Australia needs a private health system that’s transparent, sustainable, and centred on patients — and that starts with real policy reform.

Learn more at ama.com.au

25/03/2026

Celebrating Women's History Month

Dr Helen McArdle grew up in an Irish family where tradition quietly set expectations, and where being the second child — and a girl — came with its own conventions.

But her father, also a doctor, never shared those limits. He encouraged her to aim high, supported her ambitions without hesitation, and made it clear that gender should never define capability.

At home, the message was simple: “Women could do anything men could, more often than not with a little better organisation to boot.”

With her family's backing, Dr McArdle followed her father and brother into medicine and was encouraged to develop not only as a clinician but also as a leader.

Read more about Dr McArdle’s inspiring story here👉🔗 https://www.ama.com.au/articles/ama-celebrates-womens-history-month-2026