THE HON STEPHEN JONES MP

ASSISTANT TREASURER

MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES

MEMBER FOR WHITLAM

ALISON BYRNES MP

MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAM

MEDIA RELEASE

The Albanese Government is getting more GPs into the region and making it easier for them to bulk-bill and claim Medicare services.

Five new full-time GPs from overseas are already treating patients in the Illawarra and another five are on the way. The new incoming International Medical Graduates (IMGs) from the UK and Malaysia will begin full-time by July 2024, and join Dapto Medical & Dental Centre and Corrimal Medical & Dental Centre.

It comes after the region was classified as a Distribution Priority Area, in order to implement initiatives to increase the supply of GPs locally to address workforce shortages.

In November last year, Labor tripled the bulk-billing incentive for local GPs, after 9 years of cuts and neglect by the Coalition which saw bulk-billing rates sharply decline.

The government is also investing in a $1.5 billion indexation boost across the board to Medicare rebates, increasing the amount that doctors receive for Medicare services and reducing pressure on GPs.

For more information on the DPA classification system, visit: Distribution Priority Area | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Quotes attributable to Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones:

“We’re addressing local workforce shortages by securing more trained health professionals for the Illawarra. This, along with our tripling of the bulk-billing rate is about ensuring locals can access a local GP using their Medicare card – not their credit card.”

“West Dapto is one of the fastest growing residential areas in New South Wales outside of Sydney, and as a result we’re seeing an increased demand for health services. That’s why Alison and I have worked hard to secure these ten new international medical graduates through our government’s DPA classification.

Quotes attributable to Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes:

“The Albanese Labor Government has gotten to work in reviving our health care system with our $6.1 billion Strengthening Medicare reforms, after a decade of neglect under the Coalition. We’re doing all we can so that more locals can access bulk-billing services, but we know there’s more to do.

“These ten new GPs from the UK and Malaysia will work across Corrimal and Dapto, reducing the strain on our local general practices and opening up more GP appointments for Illawarra patients.”

[ENDS]