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Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Page: 11761

Medicare Locals

(Question No. 508)

Dr Southcott asked the Minister for Health and Ageing, in writing, on 17 August 2011:

(1) For each of the first 19 successful applications to become Medicare Locals, how many (a) directors, (b) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners, (c) chiropractors, (d) dentists, (e) medical practitioners, (f) nurses, (g) occupational therapists, (h) optometrists (i) osteopaths, (j) pharmacists, (k) physiotherapists, (l) podiatrists, and (m) psychologists, are proposed to be on the Board.

(2) What health profession is proposed to be the Chair of the Board.

Ms Roxon: The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) and (2) At this time, the first 19 Medicare Locals are finalising transitional governance arrangements and are not yet in a position to have identified the professions of proposed Board members or the final skill mix of Boards. This includes the profession of the Board Chair.

These transitional Board arrangements will be in place for a time-limited period after the establishment of each Medicare Local. Each Medicare Local will take its own approach to appointing both transitional and final Board members, to reflect local skill needs and in accordance with each company's constitution.

The governance arrangements for Medicare Locals are outlined in the "Guidelines for the establishment and initial operation of Medicare Locals".