The Australian General Practice Network, a Not for Profit Company Limited by Guarantee,
is a membership based organisation which provides national leadership in:
- The promotion of the health and well-being of Australians through General Practice organisations, practices and practitioners,
- By representing, in cooperation with Members, the General Practice Sector as their recognised voice and advocacy agency within Australia.
At the recent Annual General Meeting of AGPN held in Adelaide the Members confirmed that the organisation should transform into a body to provide an effective nationally recognised voice and advocacy agency for General Practitioners.
Prior to the November 2012 Annual General Meeting the previous Board of AGPN had proposed that the organisation consider winding up as a result of the formation of the new Australian Medicare Local Alliance which has been established in Canberra. The Australian Medicare Local Alliance is a new national government funded organisation established as part of the Australian Government’s National Health Reform activities as the head of the 61 Medicare Locals that have been formed across Australia.
The proposal to wind up was not supported by the required number of Members. There was a strong call at the Annual General Meeting for AGPN to continue, albeit in a refocused form.
During January 2013 the remaining Directors following the Annual General Meeting; Dr. Rodney Pearce (South Australia), Dr. Nick Demediuk (Victoria) and Dr. Tony Lembke (New South Wales) authorised the Call for Nominations for Elected Directors to the AGPN Board. Clause 25 of the AGPN Constitution specifies that the Company may have up to nine Directors; six elected Directors of which three must be General Practitioners and up to three Appointed Directors, appointed by the Elected Directors. At least three must be General Practitioners. Nominations closed at 5:00 pm AEST on Thursday, 31st January 2013.
On 5th February 2013 Dr. Andrew Kellie (South Australia), Chair of GP partners Adelaide and Dr. Graeme Downe (Victoria) were declared as elected unopposed Directors of AGPN. In addition the Board on 5th February 2013 appointed two non GP Directors as required by the Constitution; Mr. Ian Dunn (South Australia) and Ms. Stephanie Axton (Victoria).
The new AGPN Board are self-governed and self-directed. This places the organisation in a position to make objective decisions about issues effecting GPs and their practices. AGPN intends to maintain representation on National advocacy forums such as:
- United General Practice Australia (UGPA) - UGPA comprises the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, The Australian Medical Association, the Australian General Practice Network, General Practice Registrars Australia, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia;
- The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC)
AGPN will be examining the needs and future roles of member organisations in the new health reform landscape and identify the support required for our members.
The new Board would encourage General Practitioner membership based organisations to contact the AGPN office to discuss membership prospects and take advantage of the opportunity to have input to future directions.
Contact Information
Phone: (08) 8112 1110
Fax: (08) 8227 2220
Email: agpn@agpn.com.au
Postal Address
PO BOX 7293
Hutt Street SA 5000
Physical Address
1st Floor
120 Hutt Street
Adelaide SA 5000
