Meet the trio of star players vying for the RACGP presidency.
Three GPs have taken to the field to become the next RACGP president, with elections set to take place in exactly one month.
The candidates announced by the college today are Dr Gavin Colthart, Dr Anita Muñoz, and Dr Ramya Raman.
Voting will kick off on 11 August and remain open until the following Friday, with the winner announced on Monday 24 August.
The Medical Republic will publish interviews with each of the doctors over the coming weeks, but here’s a warm-up on what each candidate has to offer (alphabetically, by surname).
Dr Gavin Colthart
Dr Colthart, a former healthcare research specialist for the UK parliament, is currently doubling as both a GP and senior medical officer for Magnetic Island Health Service, based in Townsville.
He also currently works as a medical educator, training RACGP registrars in north Queensland.
His game plan is far from conventional. His candidate statement opens by admitting that he “would, in many ways, make a terrible RACGP President, as the role is currently conceived”.
With less governance experience than his fellow candidates, he recommends voters elect other candidates better tasked with undertaking the “big risks”.
His goal? To “break free” from the college’s “shackles on dissent” – the freedom to speak on controversial issues like immigration, reproductive rights, environmental harm, military escalation, and Indigenous struggles.
Dr Colthart has many longstanding interests – namely teaching, emergency medicine, and remote and tropical medicine for health and environmental sustainability.
“As GPs, we have a lot more ethical and moral authority than we realise. Time to use it,” his statement reads.
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Dr Anita Muñoz
Dr Muñoz is a Victorian-based GP and practice owner, and has been on the RACGP board since 2020.
She has also worked as a medical educator and examiner for over 15 years.
“I care deeply about our profession, and I want the future of general practice to be sustainable so that we can continue to serve our communities and the Australian healthcare system,” she said.
Dr Muñoz has four priorities – securing additional MBS funding that recognises the complexities of general practice, keeping GPs at the centre of patient care, advocating effectively for the profession with parliamentarians, and sustaining the future GP workforce.
Some of her efforts will include evidence-based campaigns against scope creep and increased MBS funding and recognising the contributions of international medical graduates.
She encouraged all members to vote in the election.
“If you believe our profession deserves experienced leadership, trusted advocacy and someone who is still in the room with you, I’d be honoured to have your support,” her statement reads.
Dr Ramya Raman
Dr Raman has served as RACGP WA chair for five years, and RACGP vice president for the past 18 months.
She’s also a medical educator at The University of Notre Dame Fremantle, supervisor, a board director of the Joint Colleges Training Services and Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health, and a practice owner.
Her question is simple: “Will the future of general practice be shaped by GPs, or shaped around us?”
Dr Raman’s priorities are fivefold, and include lobbying for sufficient MBS rebates for longer consultations, protecting continuity of care and supporting GPs at all career stages and across all settings.
This includes firmly opposing pharmacy prescribing models, advocating for fairer Fellowship pathways, and improving national data to demonstrate the need for better funding and workforce reform through a BEACH-like successor, her statement said.
She also wants to strengthen the college’s alliance and advocacy for its members and focus the college on spending fees wisely and minimising members’ administrative burden.
“I know when to collaborate, when to negotiate and when to stand firm for our profession,” her statement reads.
“I believe in a RACGP that listens to its members, uses their fees wisely, leads with authority and delivers results GPs can see. Thank you for your support.”
