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AMA Events in 2012

25th January 2012: The AMA's 50th anniversary and AGM is being held this year, currently scheduled for Saturday the 14th April in Launceston the meeting will celebrate the AMA's achievements and history. A dinner will be held that evening, more details to follow shortly.

The second Tasmanian Health Conference is on Saturday the 21st July at the C3 Convention Centre South Hobart. Themes, agendas and registration details will all be available soon.

The annual AMA Parliamentary Dinner is on the 25th September 2012. Keep this in your diary.

Merry Christmas everyone and have a Happy New Year.

23rd December 2011: The Board, Members and staff of the AMA wish you all a Merry Christmas and a fantastic 2012. We are looking forward to a VERY BIG year, it's our 50th. The AGM and Dinner will be in Launceston in April, the 2nd Tasmanian Health Conference will be on the 21st July in South Hobart and the Parliamentary Dinner will be held again in September.

Our office will be closed Friday 23rd December at 12.30pm to 9am on Tuesday the 3rd January 2012. Have a safe time and we'll see you in the New Year.

New Federal Health Minister

12th December 2011: National AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the AMA welcomes the appointment of Tanya Plibersek as Minister for Health.

Dr Hambleton said that Ms Plibersek's Ministerial experience in Housing, Human Services, and the Status of Women, along with her commitment to social equity and social justice, makes her well equipped to take on the demands and challenges of the Health portfolio.

"The AMA looks forward to a close working relationship with the new Minister," Dr Hambleton said. http://ama.com.au/node/7412

New Ministry and Structure will help!

12 December 2011: Dr. John Davis, President of the AMA in Tasmania, commented today on the Review of Governance Arrangements for the Department of Health and Human Services paper. Dr. Davis said, "This paper confirms our statements of the past where we have criticised the top heavy nature of the DHHS".  

"A smaller and more efficient Ministry is welcomed however the proof of efficiency gains will remain in the implementation of these recommendations", he said. These changes are in line with the National Health Reforms and the introduction of Activity Based funding. Also, data management and standardization will be welcomed and increase efficiencies in the sector. Click here for the full release.

Wilkie tricked so that Labor gets Government.

5th December 2011:  Last year after the Federal Election Andrew Wilkie had been elected as the new member for Denison and found himself in a position where his support would determine who formed Government and who became Prime Minister.  

Mr Wilkie negotiated funds for the redevelopment of Royal Hobart Hospital selecting the ALP's $340 million over the $1 billion offered by the opposition. But he was tricked. The funds Mr Wilkie negotiated were not new additional money but simply "early" access to our already due GST entitlement! The funds Mr Wilkie achieved, in order for Ms Gillard to become Prime Minister, were nothing more than an advance on our "pocket money" from Canberra. Premier Lara Giddings agrees, in Parliament last month she said, "the reality is, it is not additional, it is just a matter of when we get the funding".  

At the time these funds were allocated there was talk of a submission having to be lodged and approval gained however there was never any mention that the money was to come from Tasmania's own future GST revenue. Mr Wilkie was tricked; the Tasmanian government were complicit (they signed up) and the Prime Minister took power by default.

Click here for the full media release.