Media Release

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter says the doctor shortage in remote and regional Australia will not be solved with overseas-trained doctors and “visa doctors” often worsen the problem.

“I’m not against foreign doctors. I’ve personally had my life saved twice by foreign doctors, whilst many would have rejoiced in their failure; the fact is I’m still here because of these doctors.

“But a lot of foreign doctors struggle with language, a lot struggle with cultural problems. These are very real issues and it’s not just me saying it, it’s the AMA and our own Health Department,” said Mr Katter.

Recent media reports have the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia raising concerns about foreign doctors’ cultural preparedness and the revolving door of doctors moving in and out in remote towns of Australia. The medical community believes the solution is encouraging local graduates into areas of need, rather than rely on short-term visas.

The Federal Health Department has called for all overseas medical occupations to be removed from the Immigration’s Skilled Occupations List

Mr Katter said, “We are very heartened by the comments coming from the Australian medical fraternity.

“James Cook University has done an outstanding job in fostering Australian graduates into regional areas. It was JCU who introduced the interview system and entrance preference for people who have come from small towns and who will in all likelihood, go back to small towns. No other uni had anything like this until JCU got going.

“The “remote” differentiation has to be larger. Med graduates getting an incentive to go somewhere like Cairns is ridiculous. Cairns is one of the finest tourist destinations of the world with a growth rate that’d compare to any city in Australia.

“I love Cairns but surely the reward for going to Doomagee should be a hell of a lot more than the reward for going to Cairns. At the moment, it’s the same.