The Northern Territory is finalising steps to join the federal AMA, with the ACT likely to follow next week.
The Northern Territory AMA is now in the final stages of becoming a branch of the federal Australian Medical Association, with the AMA ACT expected to follow suit at a vote next week.
The federal AMA has praised the move, stating it will provide the territory’s office with greater resourcing, improved efficiencies and strengthened local advocacy.
It comes one year after AMA Tasmania joined the federal AMA.
“Twelve months on, it’s evident that this move has paid off,” AMA Tasmania CEO Lara Giddings said in August.
“When we decided to amalgamate in July 2024, our goals were clear: to secure the sustainability of AMA Tasmania, strengthen our capacity to deliver services, and ensure Tasmanian doctors have a strong and independent voice on local issues without members noticing any difference to the support they receive from the Tasmanian team.
“The merger has delivered an 8% saving to the AMA Tasmania budget, freeing up funds that would otherwise have been spent on insurance, board costs, auditing, and administration.
“This means more of our resources are going where they belong — into member services and advocacy.”
The federal AMA has also reiterated that the change does not diminish its commitment to working with independent branches, highlighting a recently signed partnership agreement with AMA Victoria as an example.
“Whether states become branches or maintain independence, what matters is that we’re all fighting the same fight, ensuring every Australian doctor has the strongest possible representation,” the federal AMA said in a media release.
“This is about collective strength, long-term sustainability, and real ambition for what we can achieve together.”
The ACT AMA is also expected to join the federal AMA, with an upcoming extraordinary general meeting expected to solidify the partnership by next week.
“The ACT membership will vote at next week’s extraordinary general meeting,” AMA ACT President Kerrie Aust told The Medical Republic.
“We have had productive engagement with our members over the last six months, which have highlighted the importance of continuing to have a strong local voice with an understanding of the challenges of the ACT Health system.
“We feel the branch model offers a sustainable future for ACT AMA and will allow better investment in services for our members.”
The proposed integration of the branch will not affect leadership structure, according to the AMA, with members still expected to represent the interests of the territory even where it may conflict with the federal position.
