Australian Medical Association - Tasmania

17/04/2026

The Medical Republic: Private billing name-and-shame is ‘gutless politics’: AMA Tasmania. A federal politician’s ‘disappointing political stunt’ will likely increase patient aggression toward general practice staff in the island state.

AMA Tasmania is calling out federal Labor member for Franklin Julie Collins for “naming and shaming” non-bulk billing clinics in a political flyer sent to constituents earlier this week.

According to the state medical association, and evidenced in a since-deleted Facebook post, the flyer contained a list specifically naming the 100% bulk billing clinics and the “not yet 100% bulk billing” clinics in the area.

A federal politician’s ‘disappointing political stunt’ will likely increase patient aggression toward general practice staff in the island state.

16/04/2026

TO BE FRANK: with Dr Michael Lumsden-Steel, AMA Tasmania President

We have recently seen a politician name up GP practices in a newsletter who were not bulk billing patients. This was an irresponsible act which is likely to lead to people working in those practices being abused by members of the public.

No worker deserves abuse, especially when it is inadequate federal government funding that means they cannot afford to accept the Medicare rebate as the only payment for their service.

The doctors fee covers the doctors wage, nurses wage and receptionist wage and all the costs that go into running a business - rent, electricity, IT - the list goes on.

What we need is for Medicare to be modernised. It’s an old model no longer fit for purpose. We want patients to be able to afford the best of primary health care so they don’t get sick and need our overcrowded, bed blocked hospitals. My message to all politicians is this - Instead of attacking General Practice, work with us.
Help us help you.

16/04/2026

Don’t miss this timely conversation as health and medical misinformation continues to spread, online and off.

This year’s Arthur Cobbold Lecture features Professor Tony Lawler, Deputy Secretary, Health Products Regulation Group, and Head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) at the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. A 1995 University of Tasmania School of Medicine alumnus and past President of AMA Tasmania, Tony will present: Leadership, Regulation and Trust in the Age of Misinformation. REGISTER HERE - https://www.utas.edu.au/events/2026/april/2026-arthur-cobbold-lecture

And while Tony’s more than up to the task, he is following in big shoes after our CEO Lara Giddings’ 2025 Arthur Cobbold Lecture, The Decisions That Shape Our Health. WATCH HERE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X3EaVAnbVc&t=2s

Professor Tony Lawler explores how Australia’s health system navigates risk, regulation and public trust in an age of misinformation.

15/04/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT: Naming of non-bulk billing general practices, being promoted by Federal Labor MP Julie Collins in the electorate of Franklin, is a disappointing political stunt and goes more than a step too far.

Naming and shaming clinics that haven’t been able to viably make the shift to full bulk billing hangs them out to dry. It paints practices as the problem, invites hostility from frustrated patients, and leaves reception staff and GPs to absorb the fallout, including abuse, at the front desk and in the consult room.

Julie Collins must publicly apologise to each of the clinics named in her political flyer, which will now suffer the wrath of their patients for a problem of successive governments’ own making. Read full statement here - https://www.ama.com.au/articles/name-and-shame-wont-fix-bulk-billing-fund-care-properly

30/03/2026

Today is National Doctors’ Day, a chance to recognise the contribution doctors make to patients, families and communities across Tasmania.

Doctors enter the profession after many years of education and training, grounded in patient care, clinical judgement and teamwork. For many, the day-to-day reality now includes caring for patients in a health system under sustained pressure while still delivering high-quality care, every day.

National Doctors’ Day is a moment to recognise that professionalism, care and commitment.

AMA Tasmania is proud to stand with doctors across all specialties and career stages. We’ll keep advocating for a strong, sustainable health system with primary care and general practice at its centre, and hospitals that are there when patients need them.

To our AMA Tasmania members and to doctors across Tasmania: thank you.

Join AMA Tasmania: https://lnkd.in/ghsVi8KF

29/03/2026

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

29/03/2026

It was great to be in the north of the state last week, stepping away from online meetings and spending time with members in person.

Just as important as the challenges are the solutions. These conversations, sharing what’s working, what’s not, and where we can focus our efforts, are what shape our advocacy and strengthen our profession.

A reminder our Southern Division Dinner is coming up at Shipwrights Arms Hotel.

Nominations for Executive positions are now open. If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, we’d really encourage you to put your hand up.

25/03/2026

Drop by to see Lara at Mersey cafeteria. She’s there today until 11.30. Drs4Drs Tasmania

25/03/2026

We love getting out and meeting members, and being continuously inspired by your dedication to delivering state-of-the-art health services in Tasmania.

25/03/2026

A CPD Plan is not just a plan—it’s a roadmap into the future. Your CPD plan sets the course for the year ahead, ensuring every learning opportunity aligns with your professional goals. Your plan should align with your registered scope of practice and reflect areas where you want to develop or deepen your expertise.

Most importantly, it also helps you stay compliant and meet the Standard*.

Find out how to meet the Standard* by reading the AMA CPD Home Program Guide here -

23/03/2026

MEDIA: Chronic underfunding is driving delays, equipment failures and staffing pressures—leaving some patients to receive treatment in unsuitable spaces. Clinicians are trained to manage complexity, but capacity constraints are a system issue influenced by funding and planning. The AMA remains extremely concerned that Tasmanians could miss out on clinical trials and new treatments without funding that covers the true cost of delivering them, and is calling on state and federal governments to work together on funding, capacity and accountability as the Tasmanian Cancer Strategy is finalised.

The cancer treatment service in southern Tasmania, anchored by the Royal Hobart Hospital’s oncology unit, has no capacity to manage surges in demand, Australian Medical Association Tasmania president Michael Lumsden-Steel has warned as cancer rates surge.

20/03/2026

The AMA Tasmania has proudly championed the Single Employer Model, and its proven success speaks for itself. With 30 applications for just three available positions in 2026, now is the perfect time to expand the SEM, ensuring that even more Tasmanians can benefit from enhanced general practice and greater training opportunities across the state.

Tasmania will see more trainee doctors working in local clinics and rural communities following the Albanese Government’s announcement of more than $1 billion to deliver more doctors to more communities across the country.