The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted authorisation* to the Australian Medical Association** for a collective bargaining arrangement until 28 February 2014.
The AMA sought authorisation to collectively negotiate with relevant state/territory health departments the terms of contracts, including fees, for rural general practitioners providing services as Visiting Medical Officers in public hospitals and health facilities in rural and remote areas of Australia (except New South Wales).
"AMA general practitioner members will have the opportunity to engage in collective bargaining with health departments to establish the terms and conditions of VMO contracts in public hospitals in rural and remote areas," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.
"A single negotiation process through collective bargaining may offer a more efficient and informed bargaining process, relative to a situation where multiple negotiation processes are necessary.
"The ACCC considers that state/territory health departments and the AMA would only enter into an agreement if it is mutually beneficial to both state/territory health departments and AMA members. The ACCC notes that participation in the collective negotiations is voluntary for both state/territory health departments and AMA members.
"The authorisation does not extend to collective boycott activity. If such conduct did occur the ACCC would investigate."
The ACCC previously granted authorisation to the Rural Doctors Association of Australia for similar collective bargaining arrangements and AMA (NSW) for arrangements that apply in NSW.
The ACCC's final determination will be available by following the Public Registers and Authorisations Registers links on the ACCC's website.
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