About the AMA

With more than 27,000 medical practitioner members, the Australian Medical Association is the premier organisation of doctors in Australia.  As the peak health advocacy organisation, it exists to advance the professional interests of doctors and the health of the community.

In 1990, the Federal body of the AMA moved its operations to Canberra where it is now well situated to represent the interests of doctors and their patients to Federal politicians, Commonwealth government departments and agencies and national organisations whose activities have an impact on the medical profession.

The AMA has a Federal structure with State and Territory AMAs, which focus primarily on state matters, and a Canberra-based Federal body which deals with national issues.  In addition to their elected office bearers, the Federal and State bodies have secretariats of paid employees who assist the office bearers in the day-to-day affairs of the Association.

AMA Statement of Values

The Australian Medical Association is an organisation whose members are registered medical practitioners and medical students.

The AMA exists to:

• Promote and advance ethical behaviour by the medical profession and protect the integrity and independence of the doctor/patient relationship
• Promote and advance the public health
• Protect the academic, professional and economic independence and the well being of medical practitioners, and
• Preserve and protect the political, legal and industrial interests of medical practitioners.

The AMA will achieve these aims by:

• Fostering and sustaining consultation, cooperation and communication within the medical profession
• Acting as the principal coordinating and lobbying body for the medical profession
• Fostering unity amongst medical practitioners by providing a forum for their opinions
• Promoting the achievement and maintenance of high clinical and ethical standards in medical practice, and
• Fostering communication between the medical profession and the community.

Federal Council

The Federal AMA is governed by its Federal Council, a body of 34 Board members who represent Craft Groups, Special Interest Groups, Areas and States/Territories.

The primary function of the Federal Council is the formulation of policies on issues of concern to the profession and governance of the Association.

The Federal Council comprises:

• The Office Bearers – President, Vice President, Chairman of Council and Treasurer (each elected for a term of one year at the Association’s annual National Conference.  The President is elected for a one year term with a maximum of three consecutive years)
• One nominee from each State/Territory AMA (nominated for periods at the discretion of the State/Territory AMA)
• One nominee from each of the six geographic areas – NSW/ACT, VIC, SA/NT, WA, QLD, TAS (each elected for a term of two years)
• One nominee from each of thirteen Craft Groups – Anaesthetists, Dermatologists, Emergency Physicians, General Practitioners, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Ophthalmologists, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Paediatricians, Pathologists, Physicians, Psychiatrists, Radiologists and Surgeons (each elected for a term of two years)
• One nominee from each of two Special Interest Groups – Doctors in Training and Salaried Doctors (each elected for a term of two years)
• One nominee from the Australian Medical Students’ Association (nominated for a term of one year).

Federal Council meets four times a year to define AMA policies and to determine principal activities.  Between meetings of Federal Council, the Executive Council (comprising the Office Bearers, plus two Councillors elected by Federal Council) manages the Association’s affairs.

The AMA Federal Council’s democratic, representative structure ensures that it is constituted appropriately to deal with the concerns of the entire profession and to undertake advocacy on its behalf.

Committees

Committees are formed by and report to Federal Council.

The primary function of committees is to develop policy for consideration by Federal Council. 

• Standing Committees relate directly to the internal corporate governance of the Association.  The following are recognised as Standing Committees:

• Audit Committee
• Finance Committee
• Constitution and Policy Review Committee
• Fellowship Committee
• Ethics and Medico-Legal Committee

• Other Committees are formed from time to time and relate to issues affecting members of the Association.  Other Committees include, but are not limited to, working parties, task forces and coordinating councils.  Following are some of the current Committees:

• AMA Council of General Practice
• AMA Council of Doctors in Training
• Economics and Workforce Committee
• Public and Preventative Health Committee
• Child and Youth Health Committee
• Therapeutics Committee
• Committee for Health Ageing
• Taskforce on Indigenous Health
• Rural Medical Committee
• eHealth Committee

Representation

The AMA has representative on a broad range of outside agencies, both federal and state, whose activities are important to Australia’s medical profession.  The Association considers such representation essential if the profession is to play an effective role in the determination of national health priorities and activities.  The AMA also works with many organisations in Australia and overseas on a broad range of medical, health and social issues.  These bodies include the medical colleges, associations and societies, overseas medical associations, federal and state governments and their organisations.  In addition, the AMA works strategically with peak bodies representing non-government organisations.

Internationally, the AMA is represented on the World Medical Association Council and is a member of the Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania.  The AMA is also invited to attend the annual conferences of a number of overseas medical associations.

In each State/Territory, the relevant State/Territory AMA Council is represented on, or nominates members to, various official bodies and committees, including medical boards, postgraduate education committees, and government committees concerned with health issues.

Medical Research

The AMA also makes a major commitment to medical research and education through the publication of the prestigious Medical Journal of Australia.  The Journal, published since 1914, is the only peer-reviewed general medical journal in Australia.  It reports original research carried out by doctors and other health professionals in Australia and overseas.

The AMA also publishes a news magazine, Australian Medicine, which keeps members up to date with the latest in health news. Australian Medicine is published monthly, 12 times a year with an online issue published fortnightly, 22 times a year.  In addition, each State/Territory AMA publishes its own news magazine/journal bringing important news and information to members.

Influencing Governments

The AMA keeps in regular contact with a large number of politicians, political parties and government ministers.  It frequently presents submissions to, and appears before, committees inquiring into health issues.

It is also represented on a number of government committees, ensuring that the voice of the profession is heard well before decisions are made.  It also keeps politicians informed about the views of the profession in order to help achieve better health outcomes for all Australians.

The AMA frequently runs campaigns to influence government decisions, which it believes may not be in the country’s best interests.

Code of Ethics

The AMA’s Code of Ethics represents the core of fundamental principles, which should guide doctors in their professional conduct.  It covers issues such as respect for patients, standards of care, clinical research and teaching, the dying patient, professional conduct and the doctor’s role in society.  The Code is available here.

History

Branches of the British Medical Association were formed in Australia in the late nineteenth century onwards.  Before the formation of Australia's specialist Colleges, the Branches held regular meetings to discuss medical developments and unusual cases.

The BMA Branches formally merged into the Australian Medical Association in 1962.

AMA Symbols

The AMA's logo features a serpent wrapped around a staff – the symbol of Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine.  It is a traditional symbol of medicine used by many medical organisations the world over.  Serpents had a reputation for wisdom and were believed to have had the power of rejuvenation.  

The AMA Crest was granted by Kings of Arms (and Supporters by Garter) on 10 June 1963.  The serpent and staff also appears on the AMA's coat of arms.  The AMA's motto – pro genere human concordes – means "united for humanity" or "all as one for mankind".

Presidents of the Association

1. Cecil Colville (1962-64)
2. Angus Murray (1964-67)
3. Clarence Rieger (1967-70)
4. Roderick Macdonald (1970-72)
5. Gavin Johnson (1972-73)
6. Keith Jones (1973-76)
7. Rupert Magarey (1976-79)
8. Lionel Wilson (1979-82)
9. Lindsay Thompson (1982-85)
10. Trevor Pickering (1985-88)
11. Bryce Phillips (1988-90)
12. Bruce Shepherd (1990-93)
13. Brendan Nelson (1993-95)
14. David Weedon (1995-96)
15. Keith Woollard (1996-98)
16. David Brand (1998-2000)
17. Kerryn Phelps (2000-2003)
18. William Glasson (2003-2005)
19. Mukesh Haikerwal (2005-2007)
20. Rosanna Capolingua (2007-2009)
21. Andrew Pesce (2009-

Vice Presidents of the Association

1. Angus Murray (1962-1964)
2. Clarence Rieger (1964-1967)
3. Roderick Macdonald (1967-1970)
4. Gavin Johnson (1970-1972)
5. Keith Jones (1972-1973)
6. James Magarey (1973-1976)
7. Lionel Wilson (1976-1979)
8. Harold Thompson (1979-1982)
9. Trevor Pickering (1982-1985)
10. Frederick Phillips (1985-1988)
11. Bruce Shepherd (1988-1990)
12. Michael Jones (1990-1991)
13. Brendan Nelson (1991-1993)
14. David Weedon (1993-1995)
15. Keith Woollard (1995-1996)
16. David Brand (1996-1998)
17. Sandra Hacker (1998-2000)
18. Trevor Mudge (2000-2003)
19. Mukesh Haikerwal (2003-2005)
20. Choong-Siew Yong (2005-2007)
21. Gary Speck (2007-2009)
22. Steven Hambleton (2009-
    

Chairmen of Federal Assembly/Federal Council

1. Leonard Mallen (1962-67)
2. Geoffrey Newman-Morris (1967-72)
3. Maurice Clarke (1972-77)
4. William Murray Maxwell (1977-79)
5. Ross Webster (1979-85)
6. David Formby (1985-88)
7. Clyde Scaife (1998-91)
8. Priscilla Kincaid-Smith (1991-95)
9. Peter Arnold (1995-99)
10. Roderick McRae (1999-2001)
11. Michael Sedgley (2001-2003)
12. Dana Wainwright (2003-2009)
13. Roderick McRae (2009-

Treasurers of the Association

1. William Simmons (1962-63)
2. Roderick Macdonald (1963-67)
3. Gavin Johnson (1967-70)
4. Keith Jones (1970-72)
5. Lionel Wilson (1972-76)
6. Lindsay Thompson (1976-79)
7. David Formby (1979-80)
8. Trevor Pickering (1980-82)
9. Bryce Phillips (1982-85)
10. Godfrey Douglas (1985-88)
11. Rod Morris (1988-90)
12. Ross Glasson (1990-96)
13. Peter Beaumont (1996)
14. Ross Glasson (1996-97)
15. Stephen Phillips (1997-2000)
16. Allan Zimet (2000-2005)
17. Rosanna Capolingua (2005-2007)
18. Samuel Lees (2007-2009)
19. Peter Garcia-Webb (2009-
    

Gold Medalists

The Gold Medal of the Association is the highest honour the Association can bestow.  It may be awarded to and bestowed on members of the profession who have rendered outstanding services to the Association, to the practice of medicine, or to the community, and shall not be awarded by virtue of holding any office or position within the Association, a State AMA, Craft Group or Special Interest Group.
Recipients of the Gold Medal of the AMA and the date bestowed:

1. Sir Cecil Colville (1964)
2. Sir Angus Johnston Murray (1966)
3. Dr Clarence O F Rieger (1968)
4. Dr Roderick H MacDonald (1971)
5. Sir Geoffrey Newman-Morris (1974)
6. Sir Keith Stephen Jones (1976)
7. Dr Ronald Richmond Winton (1977)
8. Dr Lionel Leopold Wilson (1983)
9. Dr Harold Lindsay Thompson (1986)
10. Dr George Dimitri Repin (1987)
11. Dr Trevor George Pickering (1992)
12. Dr Kevin James Fagan (1992)
13. Dr Bruce Dalway Shepherd (1993)
14. Dr Frederick Bryce Macaulay Phillips (1994)
15. Dr Brendan John Nelson (1995)
16. Sir Gustav Nossal (1998)
17. Dr Michael Scollin Rice (2004)
18. Professor Robin Warren and Professor Barry Marshall (2006)
19. Dr George Santoro (2007)
20. Professor Fiona Stanley (2008)
21. Professor Ian Frazer (2009)

President’s Award

Awarded to a person, not necessarily a medical practitioner, who, in the opinion of the President, has made an outstanding contribution towards fostering the objectives of the AMA.

Recipients of the President’s Award, date bestowed and name of President who nominated:

1. Tricia Caswell, Australian Conservation awarded by Dr David Weedon (1996)
2. The Rt Hon John Howard, Prime Minister, Uniform Gun Laws, awarded by Dr Keith Woollard (1997)
3. The Hon Graham Kierath, Smoke-free workplaces in WA, awarded by Dr Keith Woollard (1998)
4. Dr Peter Arnold, Chairman of AMA Federal Council 1995-1999, for his outstanding service to the AMA, awarded by Dr David Brand (1999)
5. Mr Roger Kilham, Access Economics and consultant to AMA, for his economic advice and service to the AMA, awarded by Dr David Brand (2000)
6. Dr Paul Bauert, President, AMANT and Federal Councillor, for his contribution to Indigenous health and to the AMA, awarded by Dr Kerryn Phelps (2002)
7. Members of the AMA Medical Professional Indemnity Task Force from June 2002 to 31 May 2003 for their outstanding service to the AMA and the profession through their ongoing commitment to addressing the medical indemnity crisis. Members of the MPITF: Dr Michael Sedgley (Chair), Dr Christopher Cain, Dr William Glasson, Dr Peter Garcia-Webb, Dr Andrew Pesce, Dr Russell Stitz, Dr Nicholas Little, Mr Laurie Pincott. (Awarded May 2003)
8. The Hon Douglas Ackley Lowe AM, awarded for his outstanding service to the AMA as Executive Officer, AMA (Tasmania) 1992-2004. Awarded by Dr William Glasson (2004)
9. Mr John Perrin (2006) awarded by Dr Mukesh Haikerwal
10. Dr Don Sheldon (2007) awarded by Dr Mukesh Haikerwal
11. Dr Martin Van der Weyden, Mr Kerry Gallagher, Mr Paul Boyatzis (2008) awarded by Dr Rosanna Capolingua
12. Dr Mukesh Haikerwal and Dr Dana Wainwright (2009) awarded by Dr Rosanna Capolingua

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