The new government is working hard to keep its promises, but it is too early to tell what long-term impact its new programs will have on health care delivered through general practice
On 24 November 2007, the people of Australia elected a new Labor government. In the lead-up to the election, the Labor Party made many health care commitments. Here, I summarise and comment on the new government’s strategies and policies that can be expected to have an impact on general practice. What was promised, what has happened since the election, and what are we still waiting for?
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Thanks to Professor Leanne Rowe AM and Mr Ian Watts for their advice during the preparation of this manuscript. Due to publication deadlines, this article was finalised shortly after the announcement of the federal Budget in May 2008. Further announcements by the new government can be expected by the time of publication of this article.
I have served as chair or member of a number of Australian Government committees, councils and boards. I was a member of the health stream at the Australia 2020 Summit. I am Past President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and a current member of the executive of the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance.