Victorian Election Debate to Put General Practice Funding in the Spotlight
28 Oct 2026
Victoria’s healthcare priorities will be discussed at a pre-election debate organised by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Victoria and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Victoria.
The event will bring together representatives from major political parties to discuss issues affecting doctors, patients and the wider healthcare workforce ahead of the state election on 28 November.
Scheduled for Saturday 31 October, the RACGP and AMA Victoria Health Debate will feature Victorian Health Minister Ingrid Stitt, Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier, Victorian Greens health spokesperson Dr Sarah Mansfield and One Nation Victoria Deputy Leader Colleen Harkin.
The discussion will cover access to healthcare, general practice funding, hospital capacity and workforce pressures. Political representatives will also be asked to explain their healthcare policies and funding commitments.
RACGP Victoria Chair Anita Muñoz said the debate would give representatives an opportunity to respond to questions raised by different stakeholders, with particular attention to general practice and the wider health system.
Ahead of the election, RACGP Victoria has outlined several priorities aimed at supporting GPs and maintaining quality patient care.
One major concern is the expansion of pharmacy prescribing programs. Dr Muñoz said the college remained concerned about patient safety and the quality of care under independent pharmacy prescribing arrangements. It is calling for a full, independent evaluation of Victoria’s Chemist Care Now program.
The college is also seeking the return of the Office of the Chief GP Adviser, a position that recently lost its funding.
Other priorities include funding free medicines for children living in out-of-home care and addressing the reduction in support for GPs caring for children in foster care.
The RACGP is also calling for stipends for GPs who complete training in the treatment of opioid dependence through the Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) program. Dr Muñoz said this work requires a significant investment of GPs’ time and resources, and further support could encourage more doctors to provide these services in the community.
The college has also welcomed a Coalition election commitment to exempt Victorian GPs from payroll tax if the party forms government. It is urging other political parties to match the promise to help maintain the financial sustainability of general practices.
The debate will take place on Saturday 31 October, from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm AEDT, at RACGP East Melbourne on Wurundjeri Country. Members can register online to attend in person.
Victorian Election Debate to Put General Practice Funding in the Spotlight
Source: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), newsGP.