Council communiqué - November 2023

Dear Members

The AMA Queensland Council met for the last time in 2023 on 10 November. I would like to thank all Councillors for volunteering their time to represent the membership and support the advocacy work of AMA Queensland.

I would also like to wish everyone a safe festive season and a happy new year. I would also thank the many AMA Queensland members who will be working through the holidays period keeping our state healthy.

Suicides of practitioners involved in regulatory processes
Councillor Dr Sandra Hirowatari presented the growing concerns of suicides of practitioners involved in regulatory process. Ahpra published a report on 26 September 2023 that identified 20 cases during the last four years where practitioners involved in an Ahpra investigation were involved in a serious incident. Of those 20 incidents, 16 resulted in death – 12 of these are confirmed suicides and the remaining four are suspected suicides.

AMA Queensland Council noted the current AMA Queensland’s advocacy referred the issue to AMA Federal to increase advocacy at a national level.

Advocacy Priorities 2024 - 2026
AMA Queensland’s Advocacy Priorities 2024-2026 outlines the advocacy priorities for the organisation for the next three years. Doctor advocacy areas include:

• workforce
• training pathways
• leadership
• wellbeing
• primary-tertiary integration  

AMA Queensland Council approved the draft AMA Queensland Advocacy Priorities 2024-2026 and this will be released in January 2024.

President’s report
President, Dr Maria Boulton, highlighted in her report continued issues facing the profession, including:

• Payroll tax – a relief for members and patients to provide clarity.
• Update post Annual Conference in Lisbon.
• Maternity crisis across the state and continued advocacy required.
• Continued meetings with Hospital and Health Services to highlight the need to improve the health and wellbeing of doctors.
• Expansion of the North Queensland Prescribing Pilot to whole of state.
• Continued discussions and advocacy for workforce.

Chief Executive Officer’s report
CEO, Dr Brett Dale, highlighted areas that AMA Queensland has supported, promoted and advocated for, on behalf of the medical profession in Queensland.

Dr Dale reports that advocacy continues to be very successful with several issues leading to change/implementation across the state, most notably with the general practice payroll tax decision from the Queensland Revenue Office. We continue to campaign against the dangerous NQ Pharmacy Pilot which the Health Minister recently announced would be expanded. 

Other areas of advocacy include:

• maternity services
• medical workforce
• HHS accountability
• drug law reform
• eHealth

For more information, please head to our website to access AMA Queensland media statements, position statements and submissions. Visit website

Q3 Scorecard is a quick guide to the AMA Queensland’s activities, achievements and advocacy efforts on behalf of Queensland members. See Scorecard

Councillor reports 
Thank you to the following Councillors who provided reports. 

• Dr Kimberley Bondeson -Greater Brisbane Area Representative
• Dr Lisa Fraser – Far North Council Representative
• Dr Sandra Hirowatari – General Practice Council Representative
• A/Prof Kees Nydam – North Coast Area Council Representative

AMA Queensland Council is your representative body. Please feel free to contact me or any of your representative Councillors on any issues that you would like raised at Council on 07 3872 2222 or email. 

Dr Nicholas Yim
Chair, AMA Queensland Council