Published on:
Thursday, 13 February 2025
Key Points
The announcement includes $26.4m for GP training incentives, $1m for a GP Community Residency Program and a $10m training fund for high-demand specialists.
The provision of healthcare services in Australia is both an Australian Government and State Government responsibility through the Medicare system and managing the public hospital system.
However, the collective, systemic failure of the health system to ensure there is an adequate supply of GPs in many parts of regional WA is increasingly forcing Local Governments to step in to secure these services for their communities.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said the funding commitment was a positive step towards providing equitable access to primary healthcare services for communities across the State.
“This announcement assists in easing the pressure on Local Governments who are forced to step in to secure these services for their communities, including funding for accommodation, vehicles, medical centre operations, as well as competing in the open market for healthcare professionals,” she said.
“The need for Local Governments to fund this vital service for their communities is placing significant pressure on Local Governments’ already stretched budgets, diverting funds away from the provision of other essential community services and infrastructure.
“Local Governments should not, and cannot, continue to bear this cost.”
WALGA’s 2025 Federal Election Priorities calls for the systemic failures in regional primary healthcare provision to be addressed through the development of adequate and appropriate funding models for rural primary healthcare services.
President Chappel concluded, “All Australians, regardless of where they live, deserve equitable access to primary healthcare services.”
To arrange an interview with WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP, please contact WALGA Acting Manager Media and Communications Taysha Sullivan on 0448 896 435 or via [email protected]
- The WA Liberals have committed $75m to tackle addressing WA’s general practitioner (GP) and paediatrician shortages
- WALGA’s 2025 Federal Election Priorities calls for the systemic failures in regional primary healthcare provision to be addressed
- Local Governments are currently forced to step in and fund primary healthcare services. WALGA says they should not, and cannot, continue to bear this cost.
The announcement includes $26.4m for GP training incentives, $1m for a GP Community Residency Program and a $10m training fund for high-demand specialists.
The provision of healthcare services in Australia is both an Australian Government and State Government responsibility through the Medicare system and managing the public hospital system.
However, the collective, systemic failure of the health system to ensure there is an adequate supply of GPs in many parts of regional WA is increasingly forcing Local Governments to step in to secure these services for their communities.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said the funding commitment was a positive step towards providing equitable access to primary healthcare services for communities across the State.
“This announcement assists in easing the pressure on Local Governments who are forced to step in to secure these services for their communities, including funding for accommodation, vehicles, medical centre operations, as well as competing in the open market for healthcare professionals,” she said.
“The need for Local Governments to fund this vital service for their communities is placing significant pressure on Local Governments’ already stretched budgets, diverting funds away from the provision of other essential community services and infrastructure.
“Local Governments should not, and cannot, continue to bear this cost.”
WALGA’s 2025 Federal Election Priorities calls for the systemic failures in regional primary healthcare provision to be addressed through the development of adequate and appropriate funding models for rural primary healthcare services.
President Chappel concluded, “All Australians, regardless of where they live, deserve equitable access to primary healthcare services.”
To arrange an interview with WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP, please contact WALGA Acting Manager Media and Communications Taysha Sullivan on 0448 896 435 or via [email protected]
