The Australian medical community is sounding the alarm over One Nation's proposed healthcare policies, which critics claim are founded on misconceptions and could lead to increased costs for taxpayers. The party's ambitious agenda includes withdrawing Australia from the World Health Organization (WHO) and dismantling the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), a move that would undermine global health cooperation and jeopardize access to essential medicines for vulnerable individuals.
Peter Breadon, health program director at the Grattan Institute, has highlighted several inconsistencies in One Nation's proposals. He notes that the TGA is already an integral part of the health department, rendering its proposed dismantling redundant. Moreover, targeting the TGA – a body predominantly funded through cost recovery from pharmaceutical companies – rather than through direct taxpayer contributions, appears to be based on fundamental errors and fails basic scrutiny.
One Nation's claims that up to AUD $3 billion is lost annually due to "fraudulent claims and misuse of Medicare" are also being disputed by experts. Mr Breadon points out that the data cited by the party – from the 2023 Independent Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance – actually refers to non-compliance by healthcare providers, not widespread fraud by the public. He argues that there is little evidence to suggest consumer fraud via Medicare cards represents a significant cost to the government, and implementing photo ID would incur substantial new expenses.
Further contentious proposals from One Nation include a royal commission into the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, opposition to vaccine mandates, and a review of AUD $3 billion worth of medications approved under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme during the pandemic. Dr Danielle McMullen, President of the Australian Medical Association, has strongly condemned the idea of withdrawing from the WHO, stressing its crucial role in global health and the vital data Australia receives from the organisation. She underscores that health threats transcend national borders, making international cooperation indispensable.
Both Mr Breadon and Dr McMullen have underlined the critical importance of the TGA's independence. Dr McMullen states that Australians rely on the TGA to ensure their medicines are safe and effective, with its independence guaranteeing that community safety remains the paramount concern. Mr Breadon draws parallels with the US withdrawal from the WHO under the Trump administration, noting that it subsequently led to the US proposing to spend significantly more to replace the lost functions than it had initially saved.
Terry Barnes, a former health policy adviser to the Howard government, observes that One Nation's proposals are not only misconceived but also reminiscent of a "discredited" approach previously tried in the US. He warns that such policies would have far-reaching consequences for Australia's healthcare system and its relationships with international partners.