"The Federal Government’s rural health proposals are nothing more than a Mickey Mouse election stunt that will not solve the health problems of rural people" said Dr Con Costa, National President of the Doctors Reform Society.

"If the Coalition Government really wants to provide adequate health care for country people then they must have the courage to break the restrictive training monopoly of the specialist medical colleges. There are just not enough specialist doctors to look after rural patients" said Dr Costa.

" To propose spending a few million dollars in the middle of an election campaign is an insult to country people. This Government is prepared to waste $1.5 billion per year trying to prop up an inefficient private health insurance industry but cannot find adequate funding for country hospitals" said Dr Costa.

"The Doctors Reform Society calls on the Government to redirect the $1.5 billion private health subsidy to Australia’s public hospitals and end waiting lists and specifically request that $500 million goes to improve rural health services" said Dr Costa.

written and seconded by Robert Marr and Con Costa
3 Sept 1998