he government and Cohealth categorically deny standing in the way of the release of the Duckett report. So who doesn’t want it out there?
In the latest chapter of the Cohealth review saga, the federal and Victorian governments have revealed they support the release of the review summary and full report.
The revelation came as Cohealth “categorically denied” claims it sought legal action to prevent the report’s release.
Despite all parties apparently supporting the release of the review report – controversial before even a page has been revealed – the document remains under lock and key.
Not even a Freedom of Information (FOI) application made by an unknown party has brought forth any details.
The Cohealth community has been promised a lot of things lately: transparency, consultation, reform.
What it has not yet received is the Duckett report.
At a Save our Community Health Kensington public meeting two weeks ago, federal Member for Maribyrnong Jo Briskey reportedly told residents the Independent Review of Cohealth general practice and related services would be released under FOI on 25 May 2026.
That deadline has passed.
Instead, what remains is a very big question: who, exactly, is standing in the way? And why?
Today The Medical Republic was told that Cohealth was taking legal action to prevent the report from being made available. Our source told us the federal government had sought urgent legal advice to have the report released.
A Cohealth spokesperson “categorically denied” to TMR that it had taken legal action to prevent the public release of the review report.
They have also separately told us that Cohealth does want the report released, but in a format that presents a clear understanding of the review’s findings.
The terms of reference state the review will be held in confidence by departments, “in addition to a summary report, which on agreement of all parties, may be subject to public release”.
This appears to be a sticking point.
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The summary report is understood to be a brief document that doesn’t fully encapsulate the review’s findings and recommendations.
“Cohealth has shared with government our preference for the release of a summary report that includes the full set of recommendations, to support clear understanding of the review’s findings and the pathway forward,” a spokesperson told TMR.
Cohealth sees the recommendations as central to the purpose of the review.
“They outline the reforms needed to support long-term sustainability and future service delivery, and to maintain accessible and reliable general practice care for the community,” the spokesperson said.
“The review’s terms of reference also identify recommendations and actions for all parties — the Commonwealth government, Victorian government and Cohealth — to consider in supporting continued access to services across Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington.
“Cohealth supports an approach to publication that provides appropriate context and transparency, and enables the community to understand how these recommendations will guide the next phase of reform and service delivery.”
So if Cohealth isn’t blocking the full report release, who is? Is it the federal or Victorian government? Is there something in the report that they don’t want us all to see?
A Department of Health, Disability and Ageing spokesperson told TMR:
“In line with the review’s Terms of Reference, the summary report can only be made public with the agreement of all parties.
“The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing understands there is significant community interest in the release of the full report and [is] exploring options to support this.
“The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the Victorian Department of Health, are working with Cohealth to move towards a sustainable general practice operating model that continues to support the communities of Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington.
“The Australian government will provide up to $1.5 million in time-limited, conditional funding to Cohealth via the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network to support continued access to services while Cohealth strengthens its governance and operations and transitions to a sustainable operating model.”
An hour later, we were emailed with the following statement, in addition to the statement previously provided
“The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments support the release of the cohealth summary and full report,” a government spokesperson revealed.
The Cohealth community is incensed that the report’s release is still languishing.
Save our Community Health advocate Dr Stephen Alomes said that after eight months, the patient community, clients and staff want answers.
“Does Cohealth want this to continue forever? Does it not want a conclusion? Will it continue to leave the staff, the clients and the community in the dark for several more months?” he asked.
Someone needs to take accountability and rip that band-aid off.
