media releases

“The announcement of a significant increase in mental health funding by the Opposition Leader Mr Abbott is a welcome recognition that mental health is one area which has almost been forgotten by the Federal Government,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society.

 “It comes at a cost to other useful funding initiatives however, but more importantly we still hear nothing from either major party about dental health, and neither party will commit to a return to their fair share of funding of public hospitals. Indeed, Mr Abbott was the Health Minister as the Howard Government’s share of funding dropped from 50% to 38%, leaving States to massively increase funding to cope with increased demand.”

 “In addition, the emphasis of health system reform must be an increased focus on primary and preventive care about which the Mr Abbott has said nothing to date,” said Dr Woodruff. “We await further policy pronouncements with interest and hope to see a recognition that a privatised health system, previously so strongly supported by the Coalition, will only lead to  more expensive and less accessible care for all Australians.”

Dr Tim Woodruff    Dr Con Costa   

President   Vice President      

Doctors Reform Society                          

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