Doctors in Aussie issue to be raised

Tony Ryall. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Health Minister Tony Ryall will talk to his Australian counterpart, Nicola Roxon, about her Government's plans to make it easier for New Zealand doctors to work wherever they like in her country.

But he has been advised that the impact on the New Zealand medical workforce would be slight.

Medical groups in New Zealand disagree. Doctor unions are aghast at the easing of restrictions from April, which they say is likely to increase the lure of higher salaries and worsen New Zealand's shortage of doctors.

Australian laws on overseas-trained doctors now prevent GPs from providing non-hospital healthcare funded by the Medicare insurance scheme for 10 years after becoming medically registered in the country, unless they get an exemption to work in rural or remote areas.

But a bill to become law in April will lift the restrictions on New Zealand citizens and permanent resident doctors who gain their first medical degree from a New Zealand or Australian university.

Mr Ryall said initial advice from Health Workforce NZ was that the Australian legislation would have minimal impact on the New Zealand workforce.

"However, it is one of several subjects I will be raising in my next contact with [Nicola Roxon].

"The Government doesn't want to rely on trade restrictions to keep doctors in New Zealand. We are making significant policy changes to keep doctors here, including the voluntary bonding scheme, and more opportunity for research and leadership."