The Huon Valley Council has won support for an innovative health reform proposal at the 2025 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) in June, with the formal resolutions recently shared with relevant federal Ministers for their consideration.
Councils from across Australia voted in favour of Huon Valley’s resolution calling on the Federal Government to develop a new ’Skills and Capability Framework’ for multi-disciplinary health care professionals.
The framework would define the services nurse practitioners, paramedics and pharmacists are authorised to provide and allow them to bill Medicare under a block or blended funding model. The model would also strengthen the financial sustainability of community health centres by broadening services eligible for Medicare rebates.
“This is an innovative, practical solution to address health workforce shortages and improve health outcomes—particularly in regional and remote areas,” Mayor Doyle said.
The motion was put forward by Huon Valley Deputy Mayor Toby Thorpe and presented to the NGA in Canberra by Cr Amy Robertson.
“We’re proud that Huon Valley Council is playing a leading role advocating for evidence-based health care reform on the national stage, and we look forward to working with the Federal Government to turn this into reality.”
“We know that access to health care in rural and regional areas is one of the biggest challenges our communities face, and we have seen the success of this model as developed and trialled by Cygnet Family Practice right here in the Huon Valley” Mayor Doyle said.
“Our motion is about making better use of the wide range of skilled professionals in our health system, not just GPs. By allowing nurse practitioners, paramedics, and pharmacists to provide more services under Medicare, we can give people quicker and more affordable access to the care they need.”
The NGA is the largest annual gathering of local government leaders in Australia, and successful motions like Huon Valley’s form part of the Australian Local Government Association’s national advocacy platform.
ENDS