This research paper addresses the question of whether the Commonwealth has the constitutional power to take over and regulate the administration of public hospitals (with or without the agreement of state governments). Summary • The funding and administration of public hospitals is an enduring area of controversy in Australian politics. • In recent years, the...

The federal government has asked the Productivity Commission to examine and report on the relative performance of the public and private hospital systems, and related data issues. This issues paper provides background information for people intending to make a submission to the inquiry, together with a summary of past research comparing public and private hospitals...

“DORA AND ANDREW ARKALIS will never forget receiving the news,” began a recent article on childhood cancer in the Age. The couple had taken their four-year-old son, Michael, to the Royal Children’s Hospital to have recurring headaches diagnosed, and a registrar brought them a scan of their boy’s head. “The doctor said, ‘Michael’s got a...

This report presents data on the number, nature, incidence and costs of medical indemnity claims in the public sector over the period from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 and describes allegations of harm that gave rise to claims, the people affected by these allegations of harm, and the size, duration and outcomes of...

In Australia, many common non-prescription medicines used to treat minor ailments can be bought only from pharmacies. Some argue that pharmacy restrictions on non-prescription medicines are justified because professional advice is necessary to protect people who are caring for themselves against the risk of using their medicines incorrectly. If consumers were to purchase medicines currently...