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.
Mr Katter has added his voice to senior members of Australia's medical community who have urged the Federal Government to stop giving visas to overseas-trained doctors.
Mr Katter said he was not against foreign doctors.
“I’ve personally had my life saved twice by foreign doctors, while many would have rejoiced in their failure; the fact is I’m still here because of these doctors,” Mr Katter said.
“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 Australian Medical Association (AMA) and our own Health Department.”
These are very real issues and it’s not just me saying it, it’s the AMA and our own Health Department
- Bob Katter
The AMA and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia raised concerns last week 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 James Cook University had done an outstanding job in fostering Australian graduates into regional areas.
“JCU introduced the interview system and entrance preference for people from small towns and who will in all likelihood, go back to small towns,” he said.
Mr Katter said the “remote” differentiation needed to change.
“Med graduates getting an incentive to go somewhere like Cairns is ridiculous.
“Surely the reward for going to Doomadgee should be a hell of a lot more than the reward for going to Cairns. At the moment, it’s the same.”