Queensland Labor promises 50 new bulk-billing GP clinics if Miles government is re-elected   :)


Sat 12 Oct
ABC News

A re-elected Miles government would fund 50 new bulk-billing GP clinics somewhere in Queensland, the ALP has announced.

The $365 million pledge would be funded from additional borrowing and aimed at alleviating pressures on household budgets and hospitals, according to a Labor media release.

The location of the clinics is yet be determined, but would be made in consultation with the health industry, with the government leasing space or constructing new facilities.

But the AMA Queensland said Labor's commitment, while well-intentioned, "shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the pressures facing existing practices".

"This announcement is a surprise and I am concerned that governments at all levels do not truly understand the operational costs of a general practice," AMAQ president Dr Nick Yim said.

"We do not have an infrastructure shortage — we have a workforce shortage.

"We urgently need more doctors, nurses, allied healthcare practitioners and administration staff to keep our existing clinics open."

Labor Health Minister Shannon Fentiman
Shannon Fentiman says consultation with GPs would continue. (ABC News)

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said she had consulted with AMAQ ahead of the announcement.

She said they would consult with GPs on where there is a lack of bulk billing, including locations in Central Queensland and the far north.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners welcomed the promised investment, but spokesman Dr Bruce Willett warned it "needs to be done carefully".

LNP launches a $590m health pitch

The LNP has unveiled its $590 million health plan, but Labor has accused the party of "handing in our homework".

"We do have some concerns about implementation, and we look forward to consulting with the government," he said.

GP clinics are typically a Commonwealth responsibility, but Queensland Labor said the announcement had been prompted by a rise in the number of people putting off GP visits because of the cost gap on the Medicare rebate.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show 7 per cent of people who needed to see a GP in 2022-23 delayed or avoided the doctor due to cost, which was double the number of the previous year.

Affording healthcare or paying rent
Labor leader Steven Miles said poor access to primary care was a concern.

"It's a major cost-of-living issue. People are choosing between going to the doctor and paying the rent.

"It has to stop. I want Queenslanders to be able to access a bulk-billing doctor.

"These 50 clinics will mean more Queenslanders will have a bulk-billing clinic, no matter where they live."


Marilyn Anstiss was one of the 40 per cent of Queensland patients who were left languishing on ambulance stretchers for more than 30 minutes before being admitted to hospital.

This second week of Labor's election campaign has been dominated by health announcements.

The government has pledged to hire almost 16 thousand new frontline health workers in the next four years, if re-elected.

The LNP has also been campaigning hard on health, labelling the public system in crisis.

It's promised to reduce Queensland's ambulance ramping rate to 30 per cent in the next term of government, down from 45 per cent, if elected.

Other measures in its almost $600 million health plan include showing health data in real time and hiring more than 34,000 new health staff by 2032.

Labor has said it wants to get ramping back to 28 per cent — as it was before COVID-19 — if re-elected, but hasn't given a time frame to achieve that.

Meanwhile the Greens have promised to establish 200 free public health clinics, at a cost of $4.75 billion over four years.

We want the doctor that does the Bulk-billing.   :)

And now free lunches for children at school!

Voting open tomorrow.

Goodbye labor, hello one term( he has that experience) cristfielb

It's... funny? at this point that David Crisafulli response after blaming Labor for all the health issues, from GPs to ramping, he counters by saying it's not his government's responsibility because he has no plans to do anything similar.

I don’t hold a stethoscope, mate!

whiteknight wrote on Oct 13^th, 2024 at 5:31pm:

We want the doctor that does the Bulk-billing.   :)

You tell me where the Labor Party is going to get the GPs to man these clinics?

Another boat load of inadequately trained African and Indian doctors?

How about the the ALP both at state & Federal level do something about increasing the Medicare Rebate that has lagged behind by up to 10 years whilst costs to run GP practices soar yearly.

Are those to cater for the New Aboriginal States within Queensland - all privately owned stretches of the best land?

Is that the sound of sobbing I hear, again?

SadKangaroo wrote on Oct 16^th, 2024 at 1:58pm:

Is that the sound of sobbing I hear, again?

Still wasting time and energy with that old worn-out line, eh?

You, and a couple of others, waste about half this forum's time evading real discussion - even when you post claimed 'reasoned' responses, just like lefty used to do with it always couched inside insult, you cannot help yourselves - cannot restrain from personal insult and attempted put-down of your betters.

Your post here is the perfect example of one who does not discuss anything - just attacks others.  It doesn't and won't work.

Then YOU cry when you cop it back.

You claim to have a valid view of the 'voice' - a view nowhere held up by any evidence - how many months now have you wasted - you and two or so others - trying to batter at people with the opposite view - the one supported by Aboriginal documents and by the vote of the people - when all you have to do is say you can't agree?  You're never going to change anyone's mind by abusing and insulting them, so stop being such a child.   8-)

Stop wasting my time - you and pillperth and poor demented mothra won't change my mind or the minds of anyone else by desperately trying this way, so it is clear you are only here for the argument.

Go ahead now - cry again and do what dear old mothra tries to use - double up on your abuse and insult.

clearly you have issues... not anyone else.