The federal budget handed down last night includes new funding for Medicare and primary care with the government promising to strengthen access to GPs and ease pressure on hospitals. But general practice has been under strain for years with workforce shortages, rising demand and declining bulk billing rates affecting communities across the country. The RACGP has been calling for long term sustainable investment in primary care and The Wire’s Thomas Koutis caught up with the President of the RACGP Dr Michael Wright straight after Budget lockup to get his thoughts on last night’s budget.

 

Image: Thomas Koutis and Dr Michael Wright at Parliament House

Produced By: Thomas Koutis

Featured In Story: President of the RACGP Dr Michael Wright

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 13 May 2026