A debate at the National Press Club (NPC) between the Minister for Health and the Shadow Minister for Health is essential, so that Australians have an opportunity to hear from the Government and Opposition about their policies for the next term.

Reports that, unlike previous election campaigns, no formal NPC debate on health care policy will take place are disappointing and, if confirmed, denies voters the chance to see the next Minister for Health questioned about their policies.

Transforming Australia’s health system to connect patients to the most clinically-appropriate and cost-effective health care, should be the major focus of the 2022 federal election.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling on all political parties to commit to reforming primary care by encompassing physiotherapy - it’s what’s done overseas and Australians deserve to have the best health system in the world.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) welcomes the release of a position statement by the National Aged Care Alliance (the Alliance), ‘Meeting the allied health needs of older people in residential aged care’ calling for the Commonwealth to set a clear plan for allocated funding to allied health services for those in residential aged care.

The APA welcomes the Opposition’s commitment to Aged Care health system reform and a strong, properly funded public health system, with Medicare as its backbone.

In the 2022-23 Federal Budget, the Morrison Government failed to set the fair foundations we need for health equity and access. In contrast, in his budget reply speech, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, outlined a strong health plan including his intent to put “security, dignity, quality and humanity” back into aged care pledging to spend $2.5 billion to fix an aged care system in crisis.